Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Rams, Chargers practice outside despite fires

Written by 
Published in Breaking News
Thursday, 09 January 2025 16:18

LOS ANGELES -- Amid wildfires raging through Southern California, both Los Angeles football teams held outdoor practices Thursday as they prepare for the first round of the playoffs this weekend.

Smoke was visible from the field at the Rams team facility in Woodland Hills, California, and many Chargers players wore masks.

The Rams are scheduled to host the Minnesota Vikings at SoFi Stadium at 8 p.m. Monday in Inglewood, California. On Wednesday, the NFL said it's continuing to prepare for the game at SoFi Stadium, but if there's a need to move it because of the fires, it will be played Monday night at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

"I am expecting the game to be in SoFi," Rams coach Sean McVay said. "We're operating with the full expectation that that's where we're going to play."

McVay said while players, coaches and staff have been affected by the fires, "fortunately to my knowledge, nobody has been injured. And for that we're grateful."

"It's one of those deals that almost doesn't feel real, but it certainly is real to the people that are affected," McVay said. "Praying that as many people are OK. And you just see the amount of people that are affected and it's one of those deals that it gives you perspective, and so hopefully you get this stuff under control."

A fire broke out Thursday in the Calabasas/Hidden Hills area, neighborhoods that are home to several Rams players and coaches. The team canceled its player media availability so everybody could go home quickly.

McVay said the Rams are monitoring air quality at their practice facility. If needed, the team has explored the possibility of moving practice to SoFi Stadium, but McVay said he doesn't expect to get to that point.

Defensive lineman Harrison Phillips, the Vikings' player representative to the NFLPA, said the league should be conscious of the optics of playing the game in Los Angeles, juxtaposing it with the NBA postponing the Lakers' game against the Hornets scheduled for Thursday night in downtown Los Angeles. Phillips noted that the Lakers play in an indoor facility, and SoFi is an open-air stadium.

"When a hurricane hits a certain location, or if a tornado came through and devastated a community, you want to be very cautious of the optics.," he said. "And again, I strictly say this from a human standpoint, not as a Minnesota Viking who wants a better competitive advantage. That's not where it's coming from."

Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell, who is from the San Diego area, said he reached out to McVay to show support.

"There's really no words you can say other than you're thinking about them, praying for them, and just hoping that things start to turn here," O'Connell said.

The Chargers will play the Texans in Houston on Saturday at 4:30 ET and held their final practice Thursday ahead of the game. The scene was dystopian at the Chargers facility in El Segundo: The skies were burnt orange, ashes flew around the field and many players, including outside linebacker Khalil Mack, tackle Joe Alt and quarterback Taylor Heinicke, wore masks.

The Chargers do not have an indoor practice facility. Coach Jim Harbaugh said he followed the suggestions of "experts" in altering practice, so players were outside for roughly 45 minutes, which is half the typical time they practice outside. Harbaugh said they didn't consider flying to Houston early and practicing there.

"Our guys did a great job with improvising and adjusting," he said. "And really, we were able to get as close as we possibly could to what a normal practice would look like."

Harbaugh also said that his daughter Grace evacuated from her home in the Hollywood area Wednesday night and is staying with him.

Outside linebacker Joey Bosa said he lives close to an evacuation zone and his fiancée and dog went to Houston early. Bosa said he slept with his phone notifications on loud Wednesday night in case he would have to evacuate.

"Hoping when I get back to LA, I have a house to go to," Bosa said.

Information from ESPN's Kevin Seifert was used in this report.

Read 5 times

Soccer

Sources: Barça VP steps down over Nike deal

Sources: Barça VP steps down over Nike deal

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBarcelona vice president Juli Guiu has stepped down over discrepanc...

MLS sorry after falsely confirming Atlanta transfer

MLS sorry after falsely confirming Atlanta transfer

EmailPrintMajor League Soccer apologized on Thursday for posting an erroneous story on its website w...

Bellingham scores to set up Super Cup Clásico

Bellingham scores to set up Super Cup Clásico

Real Madrid will chase a record-equalling 14th Spanish Super Cup title in the final against Barcelon...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

76ers rule out rookie McCain for rest of season

76ers rule out rookie McCain for rest of season

EmailPrintPHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia 76ers rookie Jared McCain will miss the rest of the season af...

Blazers-Mavs start time moved up due to storm

Blazers-Mavs start time moved up due to storm

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Dallas Mavericks moved up their start time for Thursday's home...

Baseball

Vlad-Jays, Valdez-Astros agree, avoid arbitration

Vlad-Jays, Valdez-Astros agree, avoid arbitration

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays avoided...

Pirates add Ferguson, eye LHP as possible starter

Pirates add Ferguson, eye LHP as possible starter

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPITTSBURGH -- Left-hander Caleb Ferguson and the Pittsburgh Pirates...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated