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6 takeaways from Rams' 2nd day of training camp

For the second day in a row, the Los Angeles Rams took the field at Loyola Marymount University for a training camp practice, this time in front of the general public. Matthew Stafford is still dealing with back soreness so he was held out again, but that was according to plan; he’ll sit out the first four practices before returning next week.

The Rams gave several other veterans a rest day as they manage their workloads leading up to the season. Sean McVay had no injuries to report after practice, which is good news for the second straight day.

Here are six takeaways from practice No. 2 at LMU.

Rams already giving veterans a rest day

Sean McVay said at the start of camp that the Rams were going to be smart with their veterans, and not just Matthew Stafford. That approach applies to Rob Havenstein, Davante Adams and Tyler Higbee, who all got a day off on Thursday.

 “That’s kind of the second day of those four-day blocks that I’ve talked to you guys about, will represent that for those guys that you just mentioned,” he said.

Blake Corum and Jarquez Hunter stood out

Kyren Williams remains the starter but the Rams have a couple of talented backs behind him in Corum and Hunter. According to Adam Grosbard of the LA Daily News, both running backs stood out in a positive way on Thursday, with Corum making defenders miss and Hunter’s speed being on full display.

Jimmy Garoppolo probably won’t play in the preseason

Last preseason, Stetson Bennett started all three preseason games while Jimmy Garoppolo and Stafford were observers. It sounds like the Rams will deploy a similar plan this year with Bennett getting a long look in the preseason.

McVay said Garoppolo “will probably not play,” and it’s obvious that Stafford won’t, either.

“Looking towards the preseason, expect us to take a similar approach in regard to Jimmy who will probably not play and that’ll give Stetson a chance. I think for him to be able to get these reps right now will serve him well for when those games come around.” 

Stetson Bennett had a nice day

Speaking of Bennett, he seemed to have another good day on Thursday. Based on videos out of camp, Bennett scrambled for a touchdown during red zone work and also hit Davis Allen down the middle with a nice throw, which can be seen below.

The third-year quarterback is third on the depth chart, which doesn’t ensure him a spot on the 53-man roster. But after a good start on Wednesday and another strong outing Thursday, he’s making the necessary progress leading into the season.

Emmanuel Forbes Jr. continues to impress

McVay said after practice that he’s been “really pleased” with Forbes this summer, especially after he hit the weight room hard and added some bulk to his frame. McVay says Forbes hasn’t lost any of the “functional movement” and traits that “made him a guy that was a first-round pick,” which he’s happy about.

“He’s at a good weight that we feel like is functional. I think he’s really picked up where he left off in regards to you feel a lot of the plays, you feel an understanding of some of the things that we’re asking, where do his play opportunities come about within the framework of the scheme and then ultimately, like we talked about, these settings I think our guys are really doing a great job of understanding how to practice, how to push the tempo.”

McVay did note that “this isn’t real football right now,” but he’s been happy with the secondary as a whole, including Forbes.

Rams’ secondary is making plays

The defensive backs have certainly caught the attention of Jared Verse. In a good way, too. He’s noticed that wide receivers are being locked up by the corners and it’s giving the pass rushers plenty of time to get to the quarterback.

Puka Nacua has still given the secondary fits because he’s “a psychopath,” as Verse put it, but the star pass rusher is happy to see the secondary playing so well. That even included a tip-drill interception that Derion Kendrick and Tanner Ingle combined for on Thursday.

Defensively, I think our secondary. They’re locking everything up. They’re giving us time to get back there. Honestly, we have minutes to get back there. They’re locking everything up on a consecutive basis. Knowing that we have that on the backend, I can kind of take my [time], not everything has to be a bull rush immediately in there, trying to get pressure. Now I have time to actually work my own rushes. That is definitely helpful.”

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams training camp: 6 takeaways from Day 2 of practice

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