WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Rams are preparing for Sunday’s rematch with the Arizona Cardinals without Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, opening the door for rookie wide receiver C.J. Daniels Jr. to take on a bigger role in Matthew Stafford’s passing game.
Offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase said Thursday that Daniels has stood out in practice over the past several weeks. The Rams are counting on several players to make up for the production and experience they lose with their top two receivers sidelined, and Scheelhaase said Daniels’ work in practice has put him in position to help.
“I’m obviously excited for him to continue to get opportunities, but they’re opportunities that he’s earned through a lot of hard work, through a lot of consistency in how he’s approached,” Scheelhaase said. “I’m fired up for him and him stepping up into this role.”
Scheelhaase said the Rams are looking at how to use their available personnel on early downs, on third down and in the red zone. Tutu Atwell and Xavier Smith bring familiarity with the offense, and Scheelhaase pointed to Smith’s ability to line up at every receiver spot. He also recalled Konata Mumpfield getting open on a double move against a Denver blitz in Week 3, the kind of play coaches had already seen him make in practice.
“Honestly, trust doesn’t just show up on a Sunday,” Scheelhaase said. “Truthfully, it doesn’t show up on a Thursday practice either.”
Running backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum also give Stafford options in the passing game. Scheelhaase said Corum has provided a spark in recent weeks and pointed to a play against Buffalo when Corum caught a checkdown and turned it into a big gain. He credited running backs coach Ron Gould with recognizing when either back could benefit from a few more carries, whether to build on a productive stretch or help him get into the flow of the game.
The Rams lost the first meeting with Arizona in Week 6 despite keeping the Cardinals out of the end zone. Defensive coordinator Chris Shula said Arizona sustained drives and kept Stafford on the sideline. Scheelhaase said the Rams moved the ball but failed to capitalize after crossing midfield, where uncertainty in the kicking game led them to play more aggressively.
Arizona will turn to rookie quarterback Carson Beck, who is set to make his first NFL start Sunday. Shula said the Rams have had to study Beck’s preseason and college tape alongside footage of the Cardinals’ offense. Beck has yet to take a regular-season snap, so Shula has looked back at his time at Miami and Georgia to see how he moves in the pocket and what he’s comfortable doing.
Beck will face a defensive front that again features Aaron Donald and Myles Garrett together. Donald said he expects Garrett to draw more double-teams after his performance last week, potentially creating opportunities for the rest of the pass rush. Shula said closing out games was one of the main reasons the Rams brought in Garrett.
Donald is still looking for his first sack since coming out of retirement. He said the defense’s priorities against Beck are to make the rookie uncomfortable, force quick possessions or turnovers and get the ball back to Stafford.
“Sacks come in bunches,” Donald said. “It’s going to come. Just keep playing ball and keep finding ways to win.”