Sean McVay delivers a disheartening update on Stetson Bennett’s status. The Los Angeles Rams had rarely been pressed to discuss Stetson Bennett’s situation throughout the season, but that changed when Matthew Stafford suffered a hand injury in Sunday’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Head coach Sean McVay was questioned about the current status of the Rams’ rookie fourth-round pick, who had been placed on the Non-Football Injury list at the beginning of the season, and the news is far from optimistic. It appears increasingly unlikely that Bennett will make a return to the Rams for the remainder of this season.
Injuries that force players to miss an entire season are, regrettably, not uncommon in the NFL. However, Bennett, who came into the league with a history of red flags and controversies, is not even with the Rams, casting doubts on his future in the NFL, if he has one at all. Situations like his are relatively rare.
Despite winning two national championships at Georgia, Bennett was not considered an elite prospect due to his age, size, potential physical limitations, and concerns related to off-field issues. He exhibited flashes of promise during the preseason but mixed in poor throws and decisions, ultimately leading to the team retaining Brett Rypien as the backup.
It now appears that Rypien is set to start in Week 9 against the Green Bay Packers, and it remains unclear who the backup would be in that scenario. If Stafford is injured, the team currently lacks an alternative on the roster or practice squad to step in as QB2. McVay mentioned that the team is actively exploring their options.
What is now evident is that Stetson Bennett will not be returning to the Rams, which is troubling for a fourth-round rookie without any known injuries.
Bennett was the seventh quarterback selected in the draft, and at least two players drafted after him may start this week: the Cardinals have decided to bench Josh Dobbs in favor of Clayton Tune, and the Minnesota Vikings have no choice but to turn to Jaren Hall since Kirk Cousins suffered an Achilles injury. Other potential replacements include Aidan O’Connell, who impressed during the preseason with the Raiders, and Sean Clifford, who might eventually step in for Jordan Love on the Packers.
The other three quarterbacks drafted after Bennett were Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Tanner McKee, and Max Duggan.
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