DEVNER — When injuries happen, teams in the NFL always say they have a "next man up" mentality.
What that usually means is someone must come in off the bench in order to take the injured player's spot on the field, in the hopes of producing without any significant drop off.
That's often the case for Los Angeles, too. But in the last two weeks, wide receiver Robert Woods has twice moved from his usual spot at wide receiver to play in place of an injured Cooper Kupp.
When the Rams are at full strength on offense — as they were to begin Sunday's 23-20 victory over the Broncos — wide receiver Brandin Cooks plays the "X" position, Woods plays "Z," and Kupp lines up as the "F." When Kupp has exited the game in the last two weeks, Woods has slid over to play "F" while Josh Reynolds has come in and played Woods' usual spot.
Head coach Sean McVay complimented Woods' ability to do so "seamlessly" after last week's victory over Seattle, and continued to give the wideout high praise after Sunday's W in Denver.
"[A]gain, it speaks to the impressive understanding and approach that Robert Woods has to be able to step in and do an excellent job today," McVay said.
Woods finished Sunday leading the Rams with seven receptions for 109 yards, adding a jet sweep for 12 yards. It's the eighth time in his career that Woods has gone over 100 yards receiving, and already the third such game in 2018.
Check out in-game photos from the Rams Week 6 matchup against the Denver Broncos.
Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley, center, runs as Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall (54) and linebacker Todd Davis (51) pursue during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)
The USC product said postgame he feels it's a part of his job to be able to play multiple positions in Los Angeles' offensive scheme.
"I feel like, just how we go into to this offense, how we teach it, how we introduce this offense is, you're moving around [from] Day 1," Woods said. "You have to know our routes, our concepts. So I think just moving around, there's a little more details to it, but the biggest thing is, our offense, you should know how to play every single position in our offense."
Nevertheless, Woods' teammates appreciate his versatility and ability to step up in big-time moments.
"All these guys — they do a great job of learning all of the positions. They don't really complain, they just go out there and do it, and that's how it's supposed to be. Coach said it in the offseason, 'You have to be comfortable being uncomfortable,'" running back Todd Gurley said. "He's a great piece to this offense, so just glad to have him going out there and it's going to show on tape that now they won't know where he's going to play. He can be the 'Z,' and the 'X.' or the 'F' — you know, whatever. He's been doing a great job."
"Yeah, he's just Mr. Consistent," quarterback Jared Goff said. "I think he's just been a guy for me that I'm so comfortable with at this point. He can play any position, run any route, and he understands leverages, he understands coverages. And I just have a really good comfort level with him, and he's a guy I rely on for sure."
