Rams snap counts: Rookie TE gets first shot, undrafted OLB keeps rising
Max Klare got his first real opportunity of the year, while Rams rookie Wesley Bailey keeps getting more playing time.
The Los Angeles Rams improved to 4-4 on the year with a 24-9 win over the Chargers on Sunday afternoon, climbing their way out of an early-season hole that put them two games below .500. It wasn't their best performance of the season, but they've shown the ability to win ugly even when things don't go perfectly.
And with all the injuries they've dealt with, they'll take every win they can get as they await the returns of Myles Garrett, Terrance Ferguson, Davante Adams and Kobie Turner.
Against the Chargers, the Rams had to use multiple backups. Colby Parkinson was out, and both Jaylen Watson and Trent McDuffie got hurt during the game. Here's a breakdown of the snap counts from Sunday.
Max Klare got his first real snaps in the NFL on Sunday, operating as the Rams' third tight end. Before this game, he had only gotten on the field for kneel-downs. Against the Chargers, he played 25 snaps, which were behind only Tyler Higbee (45) and Davis Allen (40) at the position. He didn't have a catch or target, but helped as a run blocker.
At running back, Kyren Williams played the majority of the snaps, earning a 69% snap share. Blake Corum played just 31%, but he carried the ball 11 times in the 17 snaps he played. Williams led the team with 16 carries, but 11 of those came on the final game-sealing drive.
Konata Mumpfield played six more snaps than Tutu Atwell despite not catching a single pass. Atwell caught two passes for 52 yards and looked like the better option of the two. Jordan Whittington only played four snaps and like Klare, rookie C.J. Daniels saw his first real snaps on offense – though he was only out there for two plays.
McDuffie and Watson both got hurt in the game, which limited their playing time. That increased the roles for Josh Wallace (67%) and Emmanuel Forbes Jr. (28%) as the other two cornerbacks who saw the field.
Kam Kinchens only played 54% of the snaps behind Kam Curl and Quentin Lake, who played every snap again. Jaylen McCollough saw his role decrease slightly, only playing 25% of the plays.
Byron Young and Josaiah Stewart remain the starting edge rushers, but Wesley Bailey is lurking. The undrafted rookie (32) played just two fewer snaps than Stewart (34), so he's undoubtedly eating into Stewart's playing time. Neither player will see significant snaps once Garrett returns, but for now, Bailey is making a name for himself – especially after his strip-sack on Justin Herbert.
Nate Landman returned from his one-game absence and played 69% of the snaps, but Omar Speights was heavily involved, too; he played 57% of the snaps and excelled in the win.
Braden Fiske played a season-high 74% of the snaps Sunday, with Aaron Donald second among defensive linemen at 66%. Ty Hamilton, who's filling in for Poona Ford, played 41%, followed by Tyler Davis (33%) and Larrell Murchison (31%).
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