The Los Angeles Rams are gearing up for a crucial divisional clash against the Arizona Cardinals, with their final injury report revealing just one player, offensive tackle Rob Havenstein, dealing with a shoulder issue. This is a significant improvement for the Rams, who faced numerous injuries early in the season. Havenstein, a vital leader on the offensive line, has recently returned from a lower body injury but now faces uncertainty ahead of the game. If he cannot play, Joe Noteboom will step in to fill the right tackle position.
On the other hand, the Cardinals are grappling with a lengthy injury report. Notably, place kicker Matt Prater will miss his 12th consecutive game due to a knee injury, while safety Joey Blount will be sidelined for the first time this season with rib issues. Despite these setbacks, the Cardinals have found a reliable replacement in kicker Chad Ryland, who has performed well this season. The Rams will also need to be mindful of star running back James Conner, who is listed as questionable due to a knee injury. Conner previously dominated in their earlier matchup, rushing for over 120 yards and a touchdown.
With the Cardinals already eliminated from playoff contention, there’s speculation that they might opt to rest Conner to preserve him for next season. The Rams, meanwhile, are looking to capitalize on any advantage, especially if they can exploit the Cardinals' pass rush, which ranks 10th in the league with 39 sacks. The health of both Havenstein and Conner will be pivotal in determining the outcome of this important matchup.
