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It’s prove-it time for Rams QB Stetson Bennett in preseason start against Dallas

Stetson Bennett has not taken a game snap since the Rams’ final preseason game last year at Denver.

So the quarterback is looking forward to Sunday’s preseason opener against the Dallas Cowboys at SoFi Stadium.

“I’m excited to play football again,” Bennett said.

Bennett, a two-national champion at Georgia and 2023 fourth-round draft pick, struggled in that defeat at Denver. Soon after, the Rams placed him on the NFL’s nonfootball injury/illness list and he spent the season away from the team.

During the spring, Bennett rejoined the Rams for offseason workouts, acknowledged that he had dealt with mental-health issues and worked his way back into a position group that includes starter Matthew Stafford and backup Jimmy Garoppolo.

Read more: Rams look better in joint practice with Cowboys, but offensive line gets sacked again

Stafford and other starters will not play in preseason games, and coach Sean McVay said Friday he had not decided whether Garoppolo would play.

Regardless, Bennett is expected to get the majority of work, while McVay cedes play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur.

Bennett has “a nice swagger and a charisma about himself that is fun to watch,” McVay said. On Sunday, McVay wants to see Bennett command the huddle, manage the offense and enjoy the opportunity.

“When I’ve seen him at his best, he’s having fun and that’s really consistent with all players,” McVay said. “So just go cut it loose, play and enjoy it.

“I thought we felt that in the first preseason game, a little bit last year when he was flashing and doing those kinds of things. So that’s what I’m looking forward to seeing.”

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Bennett said “fun for me” is being prepared and executing plays.

“It’s not running around and skipping and jumping,” he said. “It’s playing quarterback — playing it well and throwing good passes and making good…


Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/prove-time-rams-qb-stetson-110020946.html

Author : LA Times

Publish date : 2024-08-10 11:00:20

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

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