NEWPORT BEACH — The NFL’s COVID-19 protocols for the 2021 season include daily tests and other extra burdens for unvaccinated players, and the threat of game forfeits instead of postponements in the event of virus outbreaks.
That shouldn’t be a problem for the Rams, Coach Sean McVay said Monday.
Without giving away details, McVay said “close to 100%” of the Rams’ roster has received vaccines, including some players who started the process in the past week.
“I feel like we’re in a really good place and it’s not going to be a distraction for our team,” McVay said at the Rams’ training camp hotel.
The coronavirus remained an unavoidable topic even as many things return to normal at Rams training camp this year.
Shortly after McVay spoke, the Rams announced rookie wide receiver Tutu Atwell had been placed on the COVID-19 reserve list. That means the Rams’ top draft pick (second round) can’t practice with teammates until he’s medically cleared. Veterans report Tuesday, and two weeks of practices at UC Irvine begin Wednesday.
McVay sounded intent on avoiding friction with any player or players who decided not to get a vaccine.
“If certain guys feel adamant that they don’t want to, (I) totally respect and understand that,” McVay said.
McVay said he’s OK with the NFL’s new set of guidelines.
“I’m OK with it because, really, spending any sort of energy on it isn’t going to change anything,” he said. “I think it’s important to understand and be educated on what those things are, and try to do everything in our power to not let it be a factor and bad things for the Rams.”
NFL medical director Dr. Allen Sills said last week that about 70% of the league’s players are vaccinated and seven teams have 85% or more vaccinated.
Other health issues, in the form of old-fashioned injuries, were the No. 2 topic as well at McVay’s pre-training camp media session.
A week after top Rams running back Cam Akers tore an Achilles tendon, McVay said he expects the job to be Darrell Henderson’s and indicated Raymond Calais, Xavier Jones and rookie Jake Funk will compete for carries.
This assumes Henderson can avoid the injuries (hamstring, quad, ankle) that cost him time in 2020.
“If you look at the first half of the year last year, this has never been an ability question for Darrell Henderson,” McVay said of the 2019 third-round pick. “This is, all right, how can we find a strategic and a structured way to keep him available for all these games? What does that workload look like?”
McVay gently shot down the suggestion from Rams great Eric Dickerson and others that they re-acquire Todd Gurley.
“I don’t think that’s something we’re exploring right now, just the veteran route,” McVay said of signing or trading for a running back.
He did hint that such an option could become more attractive if the Sept. 12 regular-season opener against the Bears draws near and he isn’t satisfied with the running backs group, of whom only Henderson has ever started a pro game.
Unproven players will be the focus at other positions where McVay and his staff face decisions.
McVay gave Justin Hollins prominent mention (“an ascending player”) in talking about who will play outside linebacker on the other side from Leonard Floyd; made it clear David Long is first in line to replace Troy Hill at slot cornerback; hinted at a battle among Taylor Rapp, Jordan Fuller and Terrell Burgess for the two safety spots after John Johnson’s departure; and said Brian Allen will get a chance to push Austin Corbett for the center job, meaning Corbett could stay at right guard.
McVay, 35, heads into his fifth season with a lot riding on how those position battles turn out, as well as on new quarterback Matthew Stafford, and the health of new wide receiver DeSean Jackson, 34, left tackle Andrew Whitworth, 39, and defensive tackle Aaron Donald, 30, over 17 games.
“I’m a grizzled vet now,” McVay joked. “It’s good just to be back in person. I can’t remember the last time we did an in-person even just media session. (McVay’s last one was in February 2020, at the NFL scouting combine.)
“There’s a lot of change and transition, and a lot of that has been for good reasons for us. I think we’re just excited to get that process started.”
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