IRVINE, Calif. – Tuesday marked players' first day in pads at 2021 Rams Training Camp presented by UNIFY Financial Credit Union, with quarterback Matthew Stafford logging a full workload despite a contusion on his right thumb and rookie linebacker Ernest Jones IV and third-year safety Nick Scott stepping up to make big plays for Los Angeles' defense.
Staff writer Stu Jackson shares 10 Observations from the session:
1) No limitations for Stafford: The Rams' signal-caller sustained a contusion on his right thumb toward the end of Monday's practice, but on Tuesday, he managed to take on a full workload.
2) Scott steps up: During one segment of 11-on-11 team drills, Scott jumped in front of a Stafford pass over the middle intended for Woods to snag an interception that drew high praise from Stafford afterward. "That was as good a play as I've been around at the safety spot," Stafford said in his post-practice press conference.
3) Jones in coverage: The rookie linebacker disrupted a pair of Stafford passes in impressive ways. On one occasion, he covered tight end Tyler Higbee so well he forced Stafford to throw wide. Later on, he tipped another Stafford pass intended for Higbee, but Higbee was in close enough proximity to haul in the deflection.
4) Stafford connects with DeSean Jackson again: Stafford continues to take advantage of the veteran wide receiver's speed, launching a deep ball over the bill to Jackson for a touchdown against the second-team defense. As was the case on another of these connections, Jackson's speed was displayed again, with a good amount of distance between him and the last defender.
5) Kupp connection: Stafford also used terrific ball placement to find wide receiver Cooper Kupp during team drills, with Kupp making an over-the-shoulder grab to haul the pass in.
6) Valuable day for fourth-year offensive tackle Joe Noteboom: With Andrew Whitworth getting a veteran rest day, Noteboom received those reps at left tackle during Tuesday's practice.
7) Darrell Henderson Jr.'s burst: The third-year running back had a nice moment during team drills where he broke outside, then cut back toward the middle for what would've been a first-down run.
8) Watching other running backs: Second-year running back Xavier Jones and rookie running back Jake Funk each got a chance to display their reliability as receivers. Jones connected with Stafford on a short pass during team drills, then showed good burst on the cut going up field. During the same session, Funk caught a short pass over the middle from Wolford with a similar display of agility and explosiveness.
9) Other defensive back stops: Besides Scott, fellow safety Jordan Fuller made an impressive pass breakup during team drills, while cornerback Dont'e Deayon had one on a Stafford pass attempt intended for Van Jefferson during the same period.
10) Other linebackers in coverage: Troy Reeder and Kenny Young also registered pass breakups on Tuesday; Reeder on a Stafford pass intended for Henderson, Young on a John Wolford pass intended for wide receiver J.J. Koski.
