Lindsey ThiryESPN
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Robert Woods is out for the remainder of the season after suffering a torn ACL in practice Friday, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter and Dianna Russini.
Woods went down with the knee injury and then got up and finished practice, sources told ESPN. After conducting media interviews after practice, he underwent tests that confirmed the injury, sources told ESPN.
The Rams (7-2), in search of depth at the position after releasing DeSean Jackson, signed free agent Odell Beckham Jr. on Thursday after his release from the Cleveland Browns.
Beckham will make his Rams debut against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football, sources told ESPN. The 49ers have won four straight over the Rams.
The loss of Woods, however, cannot be overstated as the Rams aggressively pursue a trip to Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium in February.
"He epitomizes a great competitor that does so many different things for our team," Rams coach Sean McVay recently said about Woods. "The way he's gone about it, he's a guy you want to fight for, you want to battle with. You want to make sure that you do a good job of trying to take advantage of all the things that he can bring to the table, especially as a playmaker with the ball in his hands."
Since the Rams signed Woods in 2017, the ninth-year pro has played a critical role in the passing game as a receiver, blocker and even out of the backfield.
This season, Woods is second on the team behind Cooper Kupp, the NFL's leading receiver, with 45 catches for 556 yards and 4 touchdowns. Woods also has rushed for 46 yards and a touchdown on eight carries. His 70 targets this season were tied for the 15th in the NFL entering Week 10.
"I call him, 'TMC' -- The Most Complete,'" Rams receivers coach Eric Yarber said. "He can run routes, he can block, he can run after the catch, he can run the ball out of the backfield. ... So it is very unique to have a guy like that who can do it all and then play so unselfishly. He doesn't care who gets the credit."
The Rams' offense under quarterback Matthew Stafford currently ranks No. 3 in the NFL, scoring an average of 29 points per game. Stafford has passed for 23 touchdowns this season, which ranks second only to Tom Brady's 25.
Second-year pro Van Jefferson, a close study of Woods, is tied for third on the team alongside tight end Tyler Higbee with 46 targets and will be tasked with a larger role.
The urgency for Beckham to learn and acclimate into the offense also will increase.
Woods' injury once again leaves the Rams thin at the receiver position after rookies Tutu Atwell and Jacob Harris suffered season-ending injuries. Earlier this week, a waiver claim to bring back released wideout Josh Reynolds fell short as he was claimed by the Lions.
Rookie seventh-round pick Ben Skowronek and undrafted free agent J.J. Koski, who was signed from the practice squad earlier this month, will be counted on for depth behind Kupp, Jefferson and Beckham. Skowronek and Koski have combined for three catches for 30 yards.
Since the Buffalo Bills selected Woods with a second-round pick in 2013, he has never missed more than three games in a season.
At the outset of last season, Woods agreed to a four-year, $65 million contract extension that begins in 2022.
In 4½ seasons with the Rams, Woods has 367 catches for 4,626 yards and 23 touchdowns and has rushed for 485 yards and five scores.
ESPN's Nick Wagoner and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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