The Athlon Sports 2023 Fantasy Football Annual magazine reached out to team insiders at all 32 NFL clubs to ask them three key fantasy questions heading into the season. As we count down to training camp, Sports Illustrated will publish their answers here. Today’s team: Los Angeles Rams
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Will Cooper Kupp be ready to play Week 1?
Kupp should be ready for the start of the season because there was a chance he could have returned toward the end of last season had the Rams been in playoff contention. Kupp, however, mentioned that he opted to have surgery on his injured ankle, and that probably extended his recovery timeline. The 2021 Offensive Player of the Year might not participate in organized team activities, but there’s a good chance he’ll be on the field with his teammates during training camp.
What about Matthew Stafford’s health?
Stafford had a scary experience in New Orleans, feeling numbness in his legs that forced the Rams to shut him down for the rest of the season. But Stafford has participated in the team’s voluntary offseason program and didn’t contemplate retirement after the injury-riddled season. Stafford is set to play in 2023, but his arm might not be at full strength after showing signs of decline last season. The Rams will likely alter their offensive attack with Stafford releasing the ball quicker and taking fewer chances downfield.
Who will lead the backfield for L.A.? What’s Cam Akers’s status?
Akers left head coach Sean McVay’s doghouse after averaging 102.5 rushing yards in the final four games of the 2022 season. The two had differences in offensive philosophy, leading to the Rams placing Akers on the trade market for a month. But with the messy past behind them, Akers will enter his contract year as the team’s No. 1 running back on the depth chart. Akers might have to split snaps with second-year running back Kyren Williams, who had a quiet rookie year because of injuries.
—Gilberto Manzano, Sports Illustrated
