WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. — The Los Angeles Rams got their second and final joint practice of the preseason on Thursday, and Matthew Stafford and Davante Adams were at the center of it even after the session was cut short. The Rams and Saints were supposed to keep working until 12:30, but the practice ended around 11:40.
That made the reps count. Stafford completed a deep ball to Adams early, then kept finding him as the day went on, while Terrance Ferguson added a pair of strong catches over the middle on short throws from Stafford. The second team got 25 plays, with Stetson Bennett IV taking 13 and Ty Simpson getting 12.
That is a much smaller load than the Rams had initially set up. Sean McVay said the first group had been scheduled for about 48 plays in a team period plus a two-minute drill, but the plan changed once the Rams and Saints adjusted the work and lost the two-minute portion. McVay said the Saints had already put in a lot of work on Tuesday and had some players who were banged up, so the shorter day was a practical tradeoff rather than a surprise.
Even in the reduced session, the Rams defense had moments that stood out. The defensive line produced would-have-been sacks and tackles for loss, and the unit added a pair of batted down passes, giving the team a fuller look at both sides of the ball before the preseason moves on. That mattered because this was the Rams’ last joint practice of the summer, one of the few chances to test timing and depth against another team before the games start to define the roster.
Puka Nacua did not participate, though McVay had previously said he was expected back in practice next week. Ferguson’s day, meanwhile, only strengthened the impression he has made throughout camp. McVay called him smart, said he plays every skill position except halfback for the Rams, and said he has been impressive without being a surprise. The coach added that the staff would sit down and decide how to approach the next game once it has a chance to study what Thursday showed.
