NFL
LA Rams activate Odell Beckham Jr. from covid-19 list
While the team continues to struggle with a covid-19 outbreak, they will feel some degree of relief in being able to activate their recently acquired receiver and a handful of others.
With covid-19 on the rise across the league, the Rams have some good news as their new star wide receiver seems set to finally get on the field with his new team.
OBJ activated but but others go on covid-19 list
According to a team announcement on Saturday, the Los Angeles Rams have activated wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., running back Darrell Henderson and four other players from the reserve/covid-19 list. It should be noted, however, that two players were also added to the list, offensive tackle Joe Noteboom and cornerback Robert Rochell. That brings the total number of players sidelined due to covid-19 up to 25. Among them are the likes of starting cornerback Jalen Ramsey, right tackle Rob Havenstein, safety Jordan Fuller, newly acquired outside linebacker Von Miller and tight end Tyler Higbee.
Rams' HC Sean McVay laments the situation
At the moment the Rams are continuing to hold all team meetings virtually, but as of Saturday returned to the facility in order to resume practice sessions. Speaking on the developing situation, Rams coach Sean McVay admitted things don't look good. "It does look like we're going in the positive direction right now," McVay said. "You're starting to see some of these test results, you're getting - we had significantly less number of positives yesterday, guys are not feeling symptomatic. We know those testing procedures have changed, we're getting some guys that are going to be testing out. They're feeling better." McVay also went on to state that he did not believe the outbreak to be the result of "any reckless decisions or behavior" from players or staff.
What next for the Los Angeles Rams?
This coming Tuesday, the Rams who sit on a record of 9-4 are due to meet the Seattle Seahawks who are 5-8 at SoFi Stadium at 7 p.m. ET. The game had previously been rescheduled by the NFL as a result of the Rams' covid-19 outbreak. Speaking on the situation during a video conference call with reporters, Kevin Demoff, the Rams' chief operating officer said that a "handful" of staff members had also tested positive for covid-19. Demoff did not, however, go on to provide a specific number nor did he say whether or not any coaches were among the infected.
While things aren't looking so good for the Rams' roster, they can take some degree of comfort in the idea that along with Beckham and Henderson, cornerback Dont'e Deayon, tight end Brycen Hopkins, offensive lineman Alaric Jackson and outside linebacker Justin Hollins were also activated from the reserve/covid-19 list on Saturday.