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It’s beginning to look a lot like football. LA Rams training camp is open and everyone on the roster is there (except for Terrell Lewis).
COVID-19 has changed the 2020 NFL landscape by eliminating OTAs, mini-camps, preseason games and pushing back training camp. All single season tickets have been refunded and season ticket holders can opt-in to the ticket lottery IF fans are allowed in attendance. If they are only 15,000 of the 70,000 seats at SoFi Stadium will be filled.
The Rams have already screened players and personnel three times for COVID-19 and now everyone has entered the “Acclimation Phase”, or Phase One of training camp. This takes place between August 3-11 with a few off days in between. During this time, players will be restricted to weight lifting and conditioning.
Certain players are allowed to touch footballs: Jared Goff and the QBs, Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp and the WRs, the kickers, punter Johnny Hekker and long snapper Jake McQuaide. Defensive players are not allowed to touch a football and players cannot shag any of the kickers/punters kicks.
Phase Two, or the “Gradual Ramp Up Period” runs between August 13 – 17 and allows players to take the field, wear helmets and protective shirts and hold non-padded practice. These are really walkthroughs and a chance for coaches to see the players in their natural habitat. Practices run 90 minutes with a 15-minute increase every day (max 120 mins).
The fun really begins on August 18th and is officially called the “Contact Integration Period.” That’s a technical term for “practice with pads”. The Rams will hold 14 practices between Aug 18 – Sept 5.
No Rams on the PUP list.
Only Terrell Lewis on the COVID-19 Reserve List.
Only one player to opt-out: Offensive lineman and UDFA, Chandler Brewer. The final day to opt-out is Thursday, August 6 so cross your fingers all current Rams stay put.
