This Rams rookie will make his first start on Thursday Night Football

The LA Rams roster has faced as much upheaval in six games and seven weeks into the 2024 NFL season as most teams do in a full season. But this team doesn’t make excuses or ask for mercy. The Rams have had their problems this season, are undermanned and overwhelmed. And at 2-4, their hopes of a spot in the 2025 NFL playoffs are rapidly dwindling.

But the tide could be turning. The offense, which has been without its top two receivers since Weeks 1 and 2, will get both of them back in Week 8. That’s right. Both WR Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua are back in action this week. How much can fans expect from competing in this game?

I think the team will open the entire playbook for Cooper Kupp. The reason for this speculative claim lies in the fact that the team needs to get the offense going. This team has struggled to pick up points so far this season. With Kupp back on the field, but if this game doesn’t go as planned, what better way to market Kupp’s skills than to showcase his full range of skills during a nationally televised game?

And yes, 30 other teams will be tuned in to see what Kupp has left in his tank and decide whether he’s actually worth the Rams’ price of a Round 2 pick.

But this is a team that will also see some action from WR Puka Nacua. I believe Nacua’s workload will be more limited in Week 8, subject to occasional check-ins with coaches and training staff to ensure there are no setbacks.

And then there’s the question of who will start as the team’s inside linebacker. At least ILB Troy Reeder is starting was sent to the team’s IR listWhile some fans are celebrating the latest development, this euphoria is somewhat short-sighted. After all, the team now definitely needs a new addition.

Based on pregame workouts, the team appears to be leaning on undrafted rookie ILB Omar Speights.

Omar Speights is fair one of several options to play in place of the injured Reeder. And it could probably turn out that the team rotates several players at the position until one steps up and is clearly the best option.

Stay tuned. This game is about to launch and has already reached the status of a white knuckle game.

Thanks for reading.