Kellen Moore also spent this week talking professionalism after New Orleans' joint practice with Dallas turned into a bench-clearing fight that cost both organizations $500K apiece. That's the backdrop the Saints carry into SoFi Stadium — a team trying to look disciplined while its backfield gets reshuffled. Alvin Kamara's MCL sprain from that same Cowboys week is expected to keep him out at least a month, handing Travis Etienne the early-down and passing-game workload with Kendre Miller, Devin Neal and Audric Estime all working through their own bumps behind him.
A shorthanded Saints backfield running behind reserve linemen against a Rams defense that's already logged a preseason win is exactly the kind of thing a preseason line takes a beat to fully price in, even at these stakes.
Where the Rams have the early edge is up front — Kyren Williams and Blake Corum have both drawn praise for how they're moving in camp, and LA is walking in off a 20-12 win over the Chiefs. It won't be the No. 1 units on the field for long, if at all: Puka Nacua sat out Thursday's joint practice, Davante Adams skipped the preseason opener entirely, and Stafford's workload here should be minimal to nonexistent. That leaves it to the names actually fighting for depth-chart real estate. Bryce Lance and Barion Brown have both flashed for New Orleans, Oscar Delp caught a touchdown against Jacksonville, and Max Klare hauled in 7 catches for the Rams a week ago.
- DoubtfulJordyn Tyson (WR)
- QuestionableJohn Ridgeway III (DT) — Ridgeway exited Thursday's practice with a foot injury, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.08/21
- QuestionableAudric Estime (RB) — Estime is expected to miss some time with his ankle injury, Ross Jackson of WWL Louisiana reports.08/19
- QuestionableAlvin Kamara (RB) — Kamara (knee) is expected to be out for at least one month after sustaining an MCL sprain during Tuesday's joint practice with the Cowboys, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.08/19
- QuestionablePete Werner (LB)
- QuestionableQuincy Riley (CB)
- QuestionableChris Rumph II (DE)
- QuestionableCameron Jordan (DE)
- QuestionableChristen Miller (DT) — Miller took part in Saturday's preseason loss to Jacksonville but exited due to a shoulder injury, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.08/16
- SuspensionBrock Rechsteiner (WR) — reserve-sus08/19
- Injured ReserveDillon Radunz (G) — ir08/19
- Injured ReserveBryan Bresee (DT) — ir08/19
- QuestionablePuka Nacua (WR) — Nacua was a non-participant at Thursday's joint practice with the Saints, Stu Jackson and Zach Edwards of the Rams' official site report.08/20
- QuestionableKeagen Trost (OT)
- QuestionableDavis Allen (TE)
- QuestionableMyles Garrett (DE) — Coach Sean McVay said Monday that Garrett may not participate in practice this week, Greg Beacham of the Associated Press reports.08/17
- QuestionableAlaric Jackson (OT) — Jackson missed practice Wednesday due to management of his blood clot issue, Stu Jackson and Zach Edwards of the Rams' official site report.07/30
- OutJustin Dedich (G) — Dedich (hand) is getting closer to a possible return, Stu Jackson of the Rams' official site reports.08/19
- Injured ReserveMario Williams (WR) — Williams (undisclosed) reverted to the Rams' injured reserve list Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.08/19
- Injured ReserveEddie Walls III (LB) — The Rams placed Walls (undisclosed) on their injured reserve list Thursday, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.06/05
Preseason Week 2 is where those guys make their case, and a bench-heavy scoreboard is a decent chunk of the reason this total sits as high as it does — teams generally empty the offensive game plan against unfamiliar backups, and both sides showed up ready to make plays in joint work this week.