NFL Preseason Week 2: The Rams left Goff & Gurley on the mainland

By: Dan Orlando

If you're looking for action before the games count, keep in mind that the LA Rams didn’t bring the whole family on vacation.

Jared Goff and Todd Gurley didn’t make the trip to Hawaii which in theory should limit the amount of points LAR will put up against whoever Dallas decides to trot out there for their exhibition tilt tonight at 7 PM Pacific.

This is the latest development in a new trend that’s begun to take hold around the league, as more coaches forgo knocking off star players’ rust in a game setting and instead dedicate the preseason to depth matchups and position battles.

The Bears opted not to play their starters in last night’s loss to the Giants, while NYG coach Pat Shurmur let the majority of his starting offense and defense take the field as they continue to gel. The second-year head coach suggested that it’s the team’s youth and status as a rebuilt club that factored into the decision, perhaps hinting that August 2020 may see less playing time for starters than this go-around.

Star RB Saquon Barkley, oft-injured but dangerous TE Evan Engram, and starting WR Sterling Shepard have yet to see summer snaps and may stay sidelines until Week 1 in Dallas. One has to wonder if Golden Tate would also be sitting out if he wasn’t already facing a four-game hiatus due to an upcoming suspension.

While their is certainly arguments for both strategies, injuries to players such as Derwin James and Avery Williams underscores the gamble of putting stars in live-action situations when the games don’t count.

What shows up on injury reports over the back-half of August will impact your picks when September rolls around. We’ll have to wait and see if any other marquee players are snatched up by the dreaded preseason injury bug.

Until then, enjoy watching the third stringers fight for the 53.