Rams hope rookies provide many happy returns

THOUSAND OAKS — The archetypal Ram to interaction the shot this play could beryllium a subordinate drafted successful the past round.

Jake Funk, the seventh-round prime from Maryland who made the roster arsenic No. 3 moving back, appears to beryllium the prime to instrumentality kickoffs for the Rams portion rookie wide receiver Tutu Atwell looks apt to instrumentality punts.

Coach Sean McVay wouldn’t travel close retired and accidental that 2 days earlier the Rams unfastened the play against the Chicago Bears astatine SoFi Stadium connected Sunday night, but helium continued to talk glowingly of Funk.

The Rams saw the 5-foot-10, 205-pound Funk arsenic a imaginable for that relation aft helium returned 13 kickoffs for an 18.2-yard mean and nary touchdowns successful a assemblage vocation interrupted doubly by genu injuries.

“He’s a feline that we liked due to the fact that helium did truthful galore bully things connected peculiar teams,” McVay said. “And then, successful the constricted (reps) that you had arsenic acold arsenic playing the running-back position, you saw the explosiveness and saw the quality to beryllium capable to marque plays successful the tally crippled but besides lend (blocking) successful the walk game.

“I truly person a batch of assurance with immoderate relation he’s asked (to perform) connected Sunday.”

The Rams privation to amended their instrumentality crippled aft Nsimba Webster performed beneath the league mean successful 2020. Webster was waived successful July. He’s present with the Bears.

ROBINSON PRACTICES

Defensive extremity A’Shawn Robinson, who had a genu problem, was listed arsenic a afloat subordinate successful signifier for the archetypal clip successful much than 2 weeks and disposable for Sunday’s crippled successful the authoritative wounded study Friday.

Wide receiver DeSean Jackson was fixed a veteran’s time disconnected from signifier but was moving connected the sideline 2 days earlier his Rams debut. Rookie wide receiver Ben Skowronek (forearm) was listed arsenic doubtful.

Center Coleman Shelton was activated aft 10 days connected the COVID-19 reserve list. Rookie extracurricular linebacker Chris Garrett remained connected the list; Justin Lawler could beryllium elevated from the signifier squad to capable in.

WHITWORTH IS READY

Left tackle Andrew Whitworth dismissed immoderate interest astir his near genu going into the season.

Whitworth, who turns 40 successful December, sprained his MCL and PCL and missed 7 regular-season games successful 2020 earlier returning for the playoffs.

“The (rehab) process has been grueling astatine times,” Whitworth said Friday. “There are antithetic things you’ve got to bash to fortify it, and sometimes you consciousness similar you’ve made progress, and sometimes you don’t.

“Now you’re benignant of past that phase. It’s going retired and executing. Really, the knee’s not going to beryllium a factor.”

CHANGES AT SOFI

In a missive to play summons holders, Rams COO Kevin Demoff highlighted responses to fans’ complaints during the preseason, erstwhile crowds were allowed successful SoFi Stadium for games for the archetypal time.

“Thanks to each of you who person taken the clip to supply america with your thoughts connected wayfinding, transportation, concessions, information and more,” Demoff wrote, saying the Rams “are utilizing it each to amended the experience.”

He said changes for Sunday’s regular-season opener see expanding nutrient offerings successful the stadium, opening the Pink Tailgate Zone 5 hours anterior to kickoff, an hr earlier than different lots, and adding amended signs and online directions to assistance fans find their seats.

Demoff wrote that the Rams are moving to amended Wi-Fi successful the stadium.