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The Rams are 3-0 away from SoFi Stadium, with wins at the
Seattle Seahawks, New York Giants and Indianapolis Colts.
The Rams (6-1) will meet Houston for the first time since 2017,
a 33-7 win for the Rams on Nov. 12 in Los Angeles. The Rams hold
a 3-1 record in the all-time series.
Sean McVay could earn his 50th career victory as a head coach,
becoming the first Rams coach to hit 50 regular season wins
since Mike Martz.
Just three coaches have 50 or more regular season wins for the
Rams: John Robinson (75), Chuck Knox (69) and Martz (57).
The Rams will have to replace the production of linebacker Kenny
Young, whom the team traded to the Denver Broncos this week.
McVay described the transaction as a financial move to free up
salary cap space.
Young had 44 combined tackles and two sacks in seven starts this
season.
Rookie Ernest Jones and veteran Troy Reeder are expected to fill
the void.
"You will see increased opportunities for both Troy and Ernest,"
McVay said. "How many? I can't speak to that quite yet just
based on where we are in the game-planning part of it.
"But any time you end up losing your guy that was playing the
most snaps from that inside linebacker position, naturally the
next guys that will get their first crack at playing more snaps
will be both of those guys. And it can be kind of a
mix-and-match."
Meanwhile, the Texans designated quarterback Tyrod Taylor to
return from the injured reserve list on Wednesday, giving him a
chance to return to practice and potentially play on Sunday.
Houston head coach David Culley said he will ease Taylor back
into the quarterback rotation. Taylor has been on injured
reserve since suffering a left hamstring strain in Week 2
against the Cleveland Browns.
Taylor led Houston to a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the
season opener and had the Texans tied with the Browns at
halftime before having to leave the game. He was replaced by
Davis Mills, a rookie third-round selection out of Stanford.
Mills has thrown for 1,047 yards, with five touchdowns and seven
interceptions, in six games, including five starts.
"We're just easing him back into practice to see where he's at,"
Culley said. "Tyrod's a veteran. He doesn't have to have all the
reps. Davis needs the reps, if Davis is going to play this week
as our starting quarterback -- and right now he is. As we move
into the week, if we feel good about where Tyrod is at, we'll
give him some of his (Davis') reps."
The Texans will also have to replace the production of their
best running back, with Mark Ingram traded back to his old team,
the New Orleans Saints, according to multiple reports.
Texans receiver Brandin Cooks will play against his former team
for the first time since he was traded by the Rams to the Texans
in April 2020.
Cooks leads the Texans in receptions (45) and receiving yards
(502).
For the Rams, left tackle Andrew Whitworth (knee), offensive
lineman Tremayne Anchrum (ill), defensive lineman Sebastian
Joseph-Day (pec), edge rusher Terrell Lewis (ribs), cornerback
Robert Rochell (knee) and safety Jordan Fuller (knee) did not
practice on Wednesday.
Whitworth's knee injury is the most pressing issue for the Rams.
--Field Level Media
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