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Investigating how LA replaced injured starters against the 49ers


Investigating how LA replaced injured starters against the 49ers

The Los Angeles Rams were nowhere near their best lineup on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. Puka Nacua, Steve Avila, Jonah Jackson, Cooper Kupp and John Johnson III were missing, which led to gaps at wide receiver, along the O-line and at safeties.

The Rams are relatively well-stocked at every position, but filling the gaps left by those five key starters isn't easy. So how did Sean McVay and Chris Shula do it?

The snap counts tell part of the story about how Kupp and Nacua were replaced at wide receiver and who filled in on the offensive line. Here's a look at the playing time breakdown on both sides of the ball.

attack

Logan Bruss was inserted at left guard alongside Alaric Jackson, who returned from suspension, and rookie center Beaux Limmer. He missed a few games while being evaluated by the coaching staff, but quickly returned. Justin Dedich filled in briefly during his absence.

At wide receiver, it was a mix of Tutu Atwell, Tyler Johnson and Jordan Whittington that took the place of Kupp and Nacua. Demarcus Robinson remained the No. 1 receiver in terms of playing time, while Atwell was the No. 2 wideout, playing 74% of the snaps. Johnson played 50% of the snaps and Whittington played 22, much of it as a run blocker.

The Rams changed their offense to use more 12-man formations, running two tight ends on 26 of their 58 plays. Colby Parkinson played every snap and Hunter Long was on the field with him on 45% of plays.

Kyren Williams continues to be the running back, playing all but six snaps on offense. Ronnie Rivers played the other six snaps and Blake Corum did not play on offense for the second time in three weeks.

defense

On defense, Kamren Curl and Quentin Lake again played every snap. Rookie Kamren Kinchens helped replace Johnson, but he still only played 41% of the snaps. Jaylen McCollough himself played 11 snaps, so he was part of the rotation as a safety as well.

At cornerback, Tre'Davious White played every snap and Cobie Durant missed only one play. They were the only cornerbacks to play more than a few snaps; backup cornerback Josh Wallace played two snaps.

Troy Reeder played all but two snaps and Christian Rozeboom was on the field 77% of the time as the Rams used their base defense a little more to counteract the 49ers' running attack.

Kobie Turner continues to be the most playing time player on the defensive line, staying on the field for 80% of snaps. Braden Fiske played 63% and Bobby Brown III was on the field for 42% of plays. Neville Gallimore takes up Brown's snaps, while Tyler Davis gets some opportunities as well.

Byron Young and Jared Verse played the majority of snaps at outside linebacker, which has been the case all year, but Michael Hoecht continues to be a factor, playing just 11 fewer snaps than Young and four fewer than Verse.

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