6 important things to know from report day at Rams training camp
Sean McVay provided updates on Alaric Jackson and Matthew Stafford, while Rob Havenstein shared the latest on his health heading into training camp. Players will begin practicing this week, with the first open practice taking place on Thursday, so they're ready to get to work at LMU.
Here are six important things to know from Tuesday's press conferences.
Rams will meet with Kyren Williams' agent on Wednesday to continue contract talks
The Rams and Williams continue to talk about a potential contract extension for the star running back, though no deal has been struck yet. McVay told reporters that they've made progress and the team will sit down with Williams' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, on Wednesday to keep those conversations going.
Williams is confident a deal will get done at some point and he made it clear that he wants to stay with the Rams, so it's about getting a deal over the finish line.
'We have gotten closer,' McVay said. 'Haven't gotten a deal over the finish line, obviously. He has done everything that he can control that makes you want to say, 'Let's try, in good faith, to try to figure this out for this guy because he's representing all the things that are right about the Rams.''
Alaric Jackson won't start on an injury list and could play Week 1
Jackson is currently dealing with blood clots in his leg, which he was diagnosed with this offseason. The good news is he won't start training camp on the PUP or NFI list, so he'll be a participant in practice. He just won't do the team drills and physical work with the other linemen.
Instead, he'll stick to individual drills as the Rams take it one day at a time with their left tackle. McVay did say he wouldn't rule out Jackson playing in Week 1, saying that's a 'very real possibility' if all goes according to plan.
Matthew Stafford will be limited in the beginning of camp
Perhaps the most surprising news coming out of McVay's press conference was the fact that Stafford will be limited to start camp. He will only do individual work with trainers for the first week of practice as he manages some back soreness that 'crept up' leading into camp.
McVay isn't concerned about Stafford's status for the season and they planned to give him additional days off anyway, but it's a situation to monitor.
Rob Havenstein will be a full participant in practice
Havenstein is coming off shoulder surgery and decided to continue playing rather than retiring after the 2024 season, which was in consideration for the right tackle. The Rams were smart with him in the offseason program and didn't push him too hard, but he'll be back to full strength this week.
He told reporters that he'll be a full-go in practice, which is great news given Jackson's uncertain status on the left side. At the very least, the Rams will have one of their starting tackles in the early stages of camp.
Braden Fiske comfortable playing at a heavier weight
Fiske said in his press conference that he's feeling good after having minor knee surgery. He even bulked up a bit, adding more muscle to his frame and cutting his body fat. He said he's comfortable playing at a heavier weight, especially after changing his diet and working with a dietician this offseason.
He worked hard to take care of his body and is up to 292-293 pounds after playing below 290 last season.
'That's where I feel the best at,' he said. 'Last year, I kind of floated under 290, which was fine but I feel a lot better when I'm a little bit heavier. I don't get moved around too much, so feels a lot better at that weight.'
McVay can feel 'youthful energy' despite Rams being older
The Rams are right around average when it comes to the overall age of their team, but the offense is undeniably older. With veterans such as Stafford, Havenstein, Tyler Higbee and even Davante Adams, the offense is a little bit on the older side.
However, McVay still feels a lot of energy coming from that group, which he loves to see.
'It does feel like a youthful energy that we have, and I even feel that from some of our players – you watch the way Matthew Stafford's running around in the offseason and how he feels and his vibe. So even some of these guys that are older by age, they feel young,' he said.
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