
The Facts: Injuries at key positions resulted in the Rams finishing the 2022 season with one of the worst records in the league, just one year removed from when Los Angeles took home a Lombardi trophy. But players are getting healthy and looking ahead to 2023, including Jefferson, who said this week that he's excited to be getting back to normal workouts after being hindered over the last year. "It's been great being back and working with … those guys, getting back to myself and I'm feeling pretty good," he said, via the team website.
Diehards Line:
Jefferson, a 2020 second-round pick, got an opportunity for more playing time during the Rams' 2021 Super Bowl season due to other players' injuries, and took advantage of the chance. The 26-year-old finished his second NFL season with 802 yards and six touchdowns, second on the team only to Cooper Kupp. But instead of being able to build on his breakout season in 2022, Jefferson was one of the many Rams players whose snaps were limited by injuries. Due to a pair of offseason knee surgeries, the latter happening in August, the wide receiver didn't make his season debut until Week 8. And even upon his return he wasn't at full form immediately, making his first catch in Week 11. Though the targets and receptions ramped up, it was never at the level of the previous year, and Jefferson finished with 24 catches for 369 yards. The return of a healthy Jefferson would definitely spell good things for a Los Angeles squad looking to rebound. Now the second-most experienced pass-catcher on the roster and the likely No. 2 WR after Allen Robinson's departure, Jefferson's leadership and talent will be essential if the Rams want to return to their previous success.