Rams gets reps with Cowboys in joint practice

The Los Angeles Rams got a change of pace Tuesday when the Dallas Cowboys arrived at their Woodland Hills facility for a competitive joint practice that gave both teams an opportunity to measure themselves against unfamiliar personnel.

For Rams head coach Sean McVay, the value went beyond which side won individual reps.

“A lot of good work that we got today against an excellent opponent,” McVay said. “I thought the team periods were competitive and most importantly, we can learn.”

Without a traditional game plan, McVay viewed the practice as an opportunity to evaluate how his players executed their assignments and fundamentals against a different scheme.

“I’m looking for the fundamentals. I’m just looking for some of the style of play within the framework of the rules of engagement that we established,” McVay said. “And I felt like a lot of that stuff seemed like it was there, and that was a positive for us.”

Matthew Stafford led the Rams offense against a Dallas defense now coordinated by Christian Parker. McVay came away pleased with his starting quarterback’s performance.

“I thought he was great,” McVay said of Stafford. “I thought he kept the ball in play. I thought he saw coverage really well.”

Wide receiver Puka Nacua left practice early with Rams trainers for an unknown reason. McVay said after practice that Nacua was unable to finish the session but did not yet have an update on what happened. In his absence, other Rams pass catchers had opportunities to step forward, with McVay pointing to Jordan Whittington, Terrance Ferguson and Davante Adams for making plays.

Defensively, the Rams created pressure against Dak Prescott even with Myles Garrett sidelined for the second consecutive day due to swelling in his knee. McVay stressed there was no setback and said the Rams were simply being cautious with Garrett. Even without him, McVay noted that Byron Young and Josiah Stewart appeared to make their presence felt against a Dallas offense that provided a strong test for Los Angeles.

Prescott felt the Cowboys improved as the practice progressed.