Super Bowl LVI: Rams vs Bengals Injury Report
As the Los Angeles Rams prepare to face the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI, it looks like both are healthy. We take a look at the injury reports!
The NFL's biggest game has arrived and fans will be happy to know that both teams are more or less healthy and ready to go, which is to say there will be no excuses come game day.
Super Bowl LVI: It's the Rams vs Bengals
On Friday both the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams submitted their final injury reports, as they make their last preparations for Sunday's game, which will be played in the Rams' very own SoFi Stadium. One of the big positives coming out the two camps is that they are both relatively healthy after playing 18 regular-season games and three playoff games. As per reports, only two Bengals players did not practice in full on Friday, while the Rams are pretty much good to go with just one starter likely to sit out the big game.
The Bengals Injury Report
Though he has maintained that he will play, the reality is that Cincinnati's tight end C.J. Uzomah still officially remains on the injury list with the groin injury that he sustained during the Bengals' AFC Championship win against the Kansas City Chiefs. That being said, while he was limited in practice on Thursday - having missed Wednesday's session - the pass-catcher returned in full on Friday and as such, is expected to be ready for Sunday.
Additionally, there was offensive lineman Jackson Carman (back) who was also a limited participant earlier in the week, but was removed from the final report after practicing in full on both Thursday and Friday. This of course is very good news for the Rams, as Coach Zac Taylor had previously indicated that Carman - a key component in the win over the Chiefs - was a possible starter at right guard for the game against the Rams. Last but not least is receiver Stanley Morgan (hamstring) who was limited all week but will be ready to face the Rams come Sunday.
The Rams Injury Report
Rams head coach Sean McVay can rest easy knowing that not a single one of his players has an official injury designation heading into Sunday's game. They do, however, have two players - tight end Tyler Higbee (knee) and offensive lineman Joe Noteboom (chest) - on injured reserve, making them ineligible to play. Higbee of course will be a key loss as he's been a critical part of the Rams offensive set up. Having sustained his injury in the NFC Championship, he will now be replaced by Kendall Blanton in the Super Bowl.
As for other key players who were previously a concern, running back Cam Akers (shoulder), wide receiver Van Jefferson (knee), left tackle Andrew Whitworth (quad), cornerback Jalen Ramsey (shoulder) and safety Taylor Rapp (concussion), were all full participants at practice on Friday, meaning they will be on the field when the Bengals come to town on Sunday. Rapp specifically will be playing for the first time this postseason after missing Los Angeles’ first three playoff games due to the league's concussion protocols. Jordan Fuller still sits on injured reserve, which means formerly retired safety Eric Weddle will take his place as the Rams’ defensive signal-caller on Sunday.
Interestingly, Los Angeles also activated running back Darrell Henderson ahead of the weekend, giving them a cushion to work with. Headcoach Sean McVay had previously indicated that he could include Henderson, alongside Akers and Sony Michel in the running back rotation against the Bengals.
*Neither team has any players suspended ahead of the Super Bowl on Sunday.