Heading into the final stretch of the regular season, the Los Angeles Rams find themselves in position to potentially lock up their first playoff spot in over a decade.
With a crucial NFC West divisional matchup against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 15, the Rams appear to be getting back a couple of key pieces on both sides of the ball, according to Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.
Wide receiver Robert Woods and outside linebacker Connor Barwin, who have been absent in recent weeks, are expected to play.
The return of Woods could provide a huge boost to the passing game, as he has proven to be one of the most reliable targets for second-year quarterback Jared Goff. The 25-year-old is dealing a right shoulder sprain that he suffered against the Minnesota Vikings back in Week 11. He is on pace for a career-best campaign, currently recording 47 catches on 70 catches with a career-high 703 receiving yards for four touchdowns.
Prior to the shoulder injury, Woods put together two strong performances, notching back-to-back eight-catch outings highlighted by a career-high 171 receiving yards in LA's 33-7 win over Houston Texans in Week 10. In his absence, rookie Cooper Kupp has benefited the most, putting together his first two career 100-yard performances while recording at least five catches in each of the last four games.
Barwin has been out since Nov. 27 due to surgery to repair a broken bone in his left forearm. In his first season with Los Angeles, the 31-year-old has been a key part of the team's linebacking unit. His potential return gives the Rams more depth and an improved pass rush against the Seattle Seahawks, who have struggled to protect Russell Wilson in the pocket this season.
On top of that, the Rams are expected to have the services of both offensive tackles Rob Havenstein and Andrew Whitworth in Week 15. The two suffered what were deemed minor MCL injuries in Sunday's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
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