Rams rule out crucial Matthew Stafford weapon while defense gets encouraging injury upgrade

Rams tight end Terrance Ferguson was on track to play in Week 9.

But he suffered a hamstring injury in practice Friday, and Ferguson is now listed as “out” for Sunday’s game against the Commanders. The 23-year-old can’t seem to catch a break this season.

Heading into the 2026 season, Ferguson was set to be a staple of the Rams’ offense. He proved to be a trusted weapon for quarterback Matthew Stafford through the first three games of the season.

The Rams tight end’s performance looked promising as he tallied 63 yards on seven receptions with a touchdown. Ferguson sustained an ankle injury in Week 3 against the Broncos, which earned him a spot on injured reserve.

As the Rams look to add to their two-game win streak Sunday in Washington, Ferguson was poised to play a pivotal role. However, the tight end is once again sidelined by another injury.

The best-case scenario for the team would be if Ferguson’s absence against the Commanders is only precautionary. But it’s clear the tight end hasn’t had the best luck in 2026.

Ferguson didn’t quite have a breakout rookie season last year, but he showcased his talent down the stretch finishing 2025 with 231 yards on 11 receptions with three scores. The second-year pass catcher has the opportunity to be one of Stafford’s reliable weapons if he can get healthy.

On the other side of the ball, Rams safety Kam Curl received an encouraging injury upgrade Friday. According to the injury report, Curl went from a DNP Thursday to limited in practice the following day.

Curl sustained a foot injury against the Chargers last week. His official game designation is questionable, but it leaves room for the safety to potentially play against the Commanders on Sunday.