Rams' McVay: Preseason isn't worth risk for players

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay would rather not put his star players in harm's way during the preseason.

As he did last year, McVay will sit most of his starters for the regular-season tune-up contests with the team coming off a Super Bowl berth.

"Not to say there's not an appreciation for what the preseason entails and playing real football," McVay said, according to Pro Football Talk's Michael David Smith. "I think there is a lot of merit to that. But when you look at some of the continuity now that we have on both sides of the ball coming back, and you say, 'If something were to happen, is it really worth that risk in our mind?' We just felt like that answer is no.

"That's the approach that we're taking, I totally understand if people don't agree with that, but we always make decisions that are in the best interests of our team. That's just really for this unit. Does that mean we'll always have that luxury? I think if you have a different number of returning players, then the narrative on that is a little different."

A handful of Rams players are working their way back from various ailments, most notably running back Todd Gurley (knee issues) and wide receiver Cooper Kupp (torn ACL in 2018).

Los Angeles kicks off its season Sept. 8 on the road against the Carolina Panthers.

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