Rams won’t reveal why rookie QB Stetson Bennett is on non-football injury list
The Rams drafted Stetson Bennett to be Matthew Stafford’s backup this season and possible successor down the road.
But those plans took another unexpected turn Wednesday.
Bennett was placed on the non-football injury list, coach Sean McVay said, declining to disclose details.
“Out of respect for him and the situation I’m going to leave all the specifics and particulars in house,” said McVay, whose team is preparing for a game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at SoFi Stadium.
Bennett, who was inactive in the opener at Seattle because of what was listed as a shoulder injury, must miss four games. He would be eligible to return in Week 6, when the Rams play host to the Arizona Cardinals.
The pundits and oddsmakers said the Rams would be bad this season, but they certainly looked like a legit playoff contender Sunday against the Seahawks.
McVay said putting Bennett on the non-football injury list was not related to the shoulder issue.
Brett Rypien was elevated to the roster against the Seahawks and will continue as the backup, McVay said. Rypien and Stafford are the only quarterbacks on the roster and practice squad.
Bennett won consecutive national titles with Georgia before the Rams selected him in the fourth round of the draft last spring. The Rams had not drafted a quarterback since 2016, when they selected Jared Goff with the No. 1 pick.
Rams scouts said they vetted Bennett and that he provided mature responses to questions regarding a January incident in Texas, where he was arrested on suspicion of public intoxication.
Bennett showed promise during preseason games against the Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders but struggled mightily in the final one against the Denver Broncos.
Asked how Bennett’s current situation affects the Rams as an organization, McVay replied, “I think there are certain things that are a lot bigger than that.”
Stafford said he has “a lot of love” for Bennett.
Doom and gloom was predicted for the Rams season before a shocking win in Seattle, but the 49ers will be a better barometer. Chargers failed vs. Miami’s pass game with the running Titans next.
“Appreciate him as a teammate,” Stafford said, “and Brett and I will roll with it.”
Said Rypien: “You never want to see that happen to anybody — injury or whatever it is. You never want anybody to be out. ... I’ve got to step up and take all the reps and be ready to go. I wish Stetson the best.”
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