Tristan Wirfs, Ryan Jensen, Sean Murphy-Bunting still nursing injuries
TAMPA ― Right tackle Tristan Wirfs and center Ryan Jensen still are nursing ankle injuries and would not have been able to participate had the team done more than a walk-through practice Wednesday, coach Bruce Arians said.
Also unable to practice in preparation for Sunday’s NFC division-round playoff game against the Rams: receiver Cyril Grayson (hamstring), running back Ronald Jones (ankle), defensive back Sean Murphy-Bunting (hamstring), receiver Breshad Perriman (hip) and linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder).
Running back Leonard Fournette still has not been activated from injured reserve, leaving Ke’Shawn Vaughn, Giovani Bernard and Le’Veon Bell as the primary backs. Bernard (hip/knee), linebacker Lavonte David (foot) and tackle Josh Wells (quadriceps) had limited participation Wednesday.
“Everybody will open up (Thursday),” Arians said. “It will be full speed. We’ll have a better judge then.
“We’ll be fine. We’ve got guys. (Guard) Nick (Leverett) stepped in and played a really big ballgame in Indy. And we have different guys who can play multiple positions. (Assistant head coach Harold Goodwin and offensive line coach Joe Gilbert) will have them ready, that’s for sure.”
During a conference call with Los Angeles reporters, Arians was asked how concerned he was protecting quarterback Tom Brady against a Rams defense that includes three-time defensive player of the year Aaron Donald and the addition of three-time All-Pro linebacker and former Broncos star Von Miller.
“I’d be worried if they were healthy,” Arians said of his offensive line. “If they’re not healthy, I’m hellaciously worried.”
Recharging in LA
The Rams, who are on a short week after hosting Monday’s wild-card game against the Cardinals, took Tuesday off and did not fully practice Wednesday.
At the starting safety positions, Jordan Fuller (ankle) remains on injured reserve, and Taylor Rapp sat out Wednesday while in concussion protocol.
Starting left tackle Andrew Whitworth (knee) and backup running back Buddy Howell (hamstring) also sat out. Whitworth was injured on the Rams’ first offensive play Monday. Coach Sean McVay called it a “miracle” that the injury wasn’t worse, adding that Whitworth has swelling in his knee and ankle. He said Whitworth’s availability for Sunday is uncertain.
Former Gator Brandon Powell (ribs), fellow receiver Ben Skowronek (back) and linebacker Troy Reeder (ankle) were limited participants.
Information from Times news services contributed to this report.
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