The Rams placed backup quarterback Stetson Bennett on the reserve/non-football injury (NFI) list Wednesday.
And head coach Sean McVay is not saying much about the situation involving the two-time national champion.
You are reading: Rams mysteriously place rookie quarterback Stetson Bennett on non-football injury list
“There are certain things that I think are a little bit bigger and more important, and out of respect for the particulars and the specifics want to be able to keep it in-house and that’s where I’d like to leave it please,” McVay told reporters.
When a reporter began with a follow-up question, McVay said: “Come on, man. Please.”
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The Rams are providing scarce details about the curious situation involving the former Georgia quarterback they drafted in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Bennett won the training camp battle to be Matthew Stafford’s backup, but was ruled out with a right shoulder injury for the team’s 30-13 upset road win over the Seahawks in Week 1.
McVay revealed that Bennett’s placement on the NFI list is not related to his shoulder injury, which adds more mystery to the situation.
The coach added that he recently met with the 25-year-old.
Bennett will now miss the Rams’ next four games – a tough stretch featuring the 49ers, Bengals, Colts and Eagles – but it seems uncertain if he will return.
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The NFI list is used for players who are sidelined with injuries or issues not related to NFL activities. This can include injuries suffered away from the team’s facility or a long-term illness.
The Rams will again entrust backup duties to Brett Rypien, who is on their practice squad, for their Week 2 home matchup against the 49ers.
But this is not how the team expected things to go after using the 128th pick in the draft on Bennett in hopes he could learn and develop under Stafford.
Bennett is the first quarterback drafted during McVay’s tenure with the team, moving up in a trade with the Giants to nab him.
“There are certain things a lot bigger than that. The fortunate thing for us is Brett Rypien is in-house, he’s been on our practice squad,” McVay said. “He was the backup last week and he’s going to continue to be in that situation until anything changes on that note. That’s where we’re at right now.”
