Left guard Rodger Saffold and tight end Tyler Higbee did not practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but head coach Sean McVay said it shouldn't affect their availability for Sunday's game against the Seahawks.
"Really, with Saffold, it's just being smart with his knee — kind of a maintenance-type deal," McVay said. "And Tyler got his knee a little bit in the game, but he returned. And we expect those guys to be ready to go. But as we kind of get closer to the week, they'll be able to get more work in, maybe even tomorrow. But we don't expect to not have those guys."
Saffold and Higbee are both starters and major contributors to the offense. Saffold has played all 267 of Los Angeles' offensive snaps in 2018, and Higbee has played 81 percent of the club's snaps as its primary tight end. Higbee has caught three passes for 38 yards and a touchdown this season, and has excelled in run blocking.
Elsewhere on the injury report, linebacker Mark Barron was a limited participant in Thursday's practice. With the Rams in full pads, McVay said how Barron recovers from this particular session will be a good indication for his availability on Sunday.
"Really, we only had a handful of not necessarily even live reps, but full-speed reps where you're going faster than a walk-thru tempo. Today will really serve as a great measuring stick. And more than anything, because this is our most physical, tolling practice that we'll have — we'll put the pads on today — how he responds, and how he feels tomorrow will be a big indicator on whether we feel like he's going to be ready to go or not."
As for returner JoJo Natson, McVay said the team will make a final decision on his availability over the next couple of days, in conjunction with special teams coordinator John "Bones" Fassel.
"As far as if we feel comfortable, I know 'Bones' feels good about him. But if you're going to put somebody back there, just having gotten that surgery, we want to make sure we're making smart decisions. That's something that's probably going to be a little bit closer — we'll make that after tomorrow as well. But if the case is that he doesn't go, then you feel confident in Cooper [Kupp's] ability to consistently be back there and do a good job."
Running back Todd Gurley, left tackle Andrew Whitworth, and defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh returned to the field after a rest day on Wednesday. Center John Sullivan received a rest day on Thursday.
Below is the full Thursday injury report for both teams.
LOS ANGELES RAMS
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
TE Tyler Higbee (knee)
LG Rodger Saffold (knee)
C John Sullivan (not injury related)
K Greg Zuerlein (right groin)
LIMITED
ILB Mark Barron (ankle)
FULL
WR JoJo Natson (hand)
RB Todd Gurley (not injury related)
DL Ndamukong Suh (not injury related)
LT Andrew Whitworth (not injury related)
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
LB K.J. Wright (knee)
DE Frank Clark (illness)
DE Rasheem Green (ankle)
LIMITED
OG D.J. Fluker (knee)
OG Ethan Pocic (ankle)
RB Chris Carson (hip)
WR Doug Baldwin (knee)
S Bradley McDougald (knee)
DT Shamar Stephen (foot)
FULL
DE Dion Jordan (hip)
QB Russell Wilson (hamstring)
