THOUSAND OAKS — The Rams placed running back Darrell Henderson on the COVID-19 reserve list Saturday, putting their leading rusher’s availability for the crucial game against the Arizona Cardinals deeper in doubt.

Assuming Henderson is vaccinated – and there has been no reason to think he isn’t – NFL protocols require him to test negative for COVID-19 twice in a 24-hour period to be allowed to leave the reserve list in time for the Rams’ game Monday night in Glendale, Ariz.

If he doesn’t record negative tests Sunday and Monday, Henderson would miss his third game of the season, after a rib injury sidelined him for one week in October and a thigh injury kept him on the sideline for Sunday’s victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Rams are well-fixed for a backup running back. Sony Michel rushed for 121 yards against the Jaguars, the first 100-yard game by a Rams back this season. But their roster of seasoned backs drops off quickly, with Buddy Howell and Mekhi Sargent the other backs on the 53-man roster, and Javian Hawkins on the practice squad.

The team hadn’t said by mid-afternoon Saturday if any players were found to have had close contact with Henderson.

The COVID-19 reserve list, part of the protocols enacted by the NFL early in the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, is for players who test positive for the virus or have close contact with someone who does.

Teams don’t routinely say if a player going on the reserve list tested positive. They also don’t have to disclose publicly which of their players are vaccinated. Rams coach Sean McVay has said this year that all but one of his players is vaccinated.

“(There is) only one (Rams) player to my knowledge that is not vaccinated, but he’s got antibodies now, I can tell you that,” McVay said Nov. 3, indicating it’s a player who had contracted the virus and gone on the reserve list before then.

When McVay talked with reporters Saturday morning, he knew only that Henderson was ill and would miss practice.

“Don’t have any more information on that,” McVay said. “Once a guy’s not feeling good, we run some of the standard testing, and we haven’t got any of that stuff back as it relates to COVID and things of that nature.”

About an hour later, the Rams announced Henderson was going on the COVID-19 list.

Henderson has carried for 648 yard and five touchdowns in his third season after being drafted in the third round out of Memphis. He’s 12th in the league in rushing yards per game (64.8) and 14th in yards per attempt (4.6).

“It’s unfortunate, but it is going around, and it is part of the world, and we do have protocols and all that,” Rams wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. “Just abide by the rules. Let him get healthy. Pray for his health and safety and all that.

“Just got to have the next man up.”

In 2020, the Rams lost wide receiver Cooper Kupp and defensive lineman Michael Brockers to the COVID-19 list for a game late in the season, and had several other players acknowledge having tested positive or going on the list during the year.

But in the second NFL season affected by the pandemic, the Rams’ roster has been relatively unscathed, Henderson being the first starter on offense or defense to be kept out of practice or a game for reasons related to COVID-19 since the beginning of training camp.

Rookie linebacker Chris Garrett was on the list for nearly three weeks, including the first two weeks of the season, and has appeared in only one game. Punter Johnny Hekker went on the list during training camp, rookie receiver Tutu Atwell in training camp, and Shelton in the preseason. Offensive line coach Kevin Carberry and wide receivers coach Eric Yarber missed some of training camp because of the virus.

By contrast, the Chargers placed four players on the COVID-19 reserve list just in the past week. Wide receiver Keenan Allen will miss Sunday’s game against the New York Giants, while receiver Mike Williams and cornerback Chris Harris were activated from the list Saturday. There has been no updatee on center Scott Quessenberry

The Cardinals (10-2), the NFC West leaders whom the Rams (8-4) play Monday at State Farm Stadium, have no players currently on the COVID-19 list. But they’ve had a handful on the list during the season, including wide receiver A.J. Green in November. Arizona coach Kliff Kingsbury tested positive for the virus in October and missed a victory over the Cleveland Browns.

In another roster move Saturday, the Rams placed rookie cornerback Robert Rochell on injured reserve with a chest injury suffered in the Jaguars game.

Their injury report designated center Brian Allen as doubtful for the Cardinals game after he hurt his right knee on the first play against the Jaguars, making it likely that Coleman Shelton will fill in again snapping the ball to quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Outside linebacker Terrell Lewis (back) and cornerback Dont’e Deayon (illness) were listed as questionable.

McVay said linebacker Justin Hollins, who has been on injured reserve since September with a torn pectoral muscle, is likely to be activated before Monday’s game.

NOTES

Rams wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. spoke about the death at 33 of former NFL wide receiver Demaryius Thomas. “I’ve known Demaryius for years, hung out with him multiple times, and it’s just sad,” Beckham said. “It’s very heartbreaking, and a subtle, soft reminder of how precious life is and how to just be present and value each and every moment.” Beckham said said he has tried to “be there” for linebacker Von Miller, who was a teammate of Thomas with the Broncos. …

Related Articles

Beckham enjoyed talking about his touchdown celebration in the Jaguars game, inspired by the video game Call of Duty: Warzone, even though some observers thought he was actually hurt. Among them was Cooper Kupp. “I think he thought I came down wrong and he was just kind of worried for a second,” Beckham said. “But I (was) just having fun.” …

Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth turns 40 Sunday, joining Tom Brady as the only fortysomethings active in the NFL.