Alright, so the Los Angeles Rams dropped their first official injury report for the 2026 season on Tuesday, and folks, it is already a bit of a headache. They’re heading off to play in Australia on Friday morning, flying out to Melbourne after practicing in LA, and some key guys are either out or limited. This is not the clean slate you want heading into Week 1.
Rams Kicking Off The Season With Injury Woes
The big news is that two starters missed practice altogether. Jaylen Watson was a non-participant because of a toe issue, and while they aren’t saying he’s in danger of missing the opener, the severity of that toe injury is still unclear. You never want mystery surrounding an injury this early. Myles Garrett, who *will* play against the 49ers in the opener, was also a non-participant, nursing a lingering knee injury. That’s a huge name to see on the report, even if he’s suiting up. Plus, Grant Stuard was limited in practice with a hamstring injury.
On top of the actual injuries, Byron Young, Tyler Higbee, and Alaric Jackson all got veteran rest days. And get this, Aaron Donald only practiced partially because of rest too. I get wanting to preserve your guys, but with a big game coming up across the globe, it just adds another layer of “what’s going on?” to the Rams’ preparation.
The 49ers Are Looking Surprisingly Healthy
Now, let’s talk about the opposition, because they’re looking like they dodged a bullet. The 49ers, despite being banged up all summer, are in surprisingly good shape for Week 1. Only one player missed practice entirely for them, defensive tackle James Thompson, due to a hamstring injury. Nick Bosa, dealing with a knee issue, was limited but is confirmed to play on Thursday night. And George Kittle, who’s got an Achilles problem, was also limited but is likely to suit up. That’s a lot of key talent for the Niners potentially playing through it, which is the exact opposite vibe coming from the Rams’ camp.
This Friday morning, the Rams and 49ers kick off the season. These early injury trends could absolutely set the tone for the entire season. Can the Rams push through their early bumps, or will the Niners’ relative health give them the edge right out of the gate? We’ll find out soon enough.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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