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Exeter grad Hunter Long injured in first start for Los Angeles Rams

Kevin Dunleavy
·4 min read

BALTIMORE — For most of his three seasons in the NFL, Los Angeles Rams tight end Hunter Long has been sidelined by injuries or buried on the depth chart, hoping to get his chance to play.

Sunday in Baltimore, the Exeter High School graduate got his opportunity. And it lasted just a quarter and a half in the Ravens’ 37-31 win in overtime.

Starting for the first time since his rookie year, Long played two series and then was hurt on a fluke play on special teams.

Los Angeles Rams tight end Hunter Long, a 2016 graduate of Exeter High School, and teammates block for running back Royce Freeman during Sunday's NFL game against Baltimore at M&T Bank Stadium. Long was injured in the first half and didn't return. It was learned Monday that Long tore the MCL in his left knee and is lost for the season, his first with the Rams.

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay announced Monday that Long suffered a torn MCL in his left knee and is out for the season.

"It was a bummer to lose Hunter (Long)," McVay said on "The Coach McVay Show" Monday. "I thought he was playing really well early on in that game. It was great to see him get some confidence, and play well. I hated for him getting injured."

Los Angeles Rams tight end Hunter Long, a 2016 graduate of Exeter High School, blocks Baltimore Ravens' Odafe Oweh during the first quarter of Sunday's NFL game at M and T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
Los Angeles Rams tight end Hunter Long, a 2016 graduate of Exeter High School, blocks Baltimore Ravens' Odafe Oweh during the first quarter of Sunday's NFL game at M and T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

Long was carted off the field — an image that will endure with his parents, Steven and Jean, who were seated in Section 504 of M&T Bank Stadium.

“Today was supposed to be his day,” Jean Long said at halftime.

And for a while, it was.

With Rams starting tight end Tyler Higbee out with a neck injury, Long got the call and blocked well on the Rams’ opening possession as he fueled Los Angeles’ rushing attack.

More: Report: Exeter's Hunter Long traded by Miami Dolphins in deal involving All-Pro cornerback

Late in the drive, Long also got open near the goal line on a pass play but quarterback Matthew Stafford threw incomplete to another receiver and the Rams settled for a field goal.

A quarter later, Long suffered his injury.

Los Angeles Rams tight end Hunter Long, a 2016 graduate of Exeter High School, stands on the sideline prior to Sunday's NFL game against Baltimore at M&T Bank Stadium.
Los Angeles Rams tight end Hunter Long, a 2016 graduate of Exeter High School, stands on the sideline prior to Sunday's NFL game against Baltimore at M&T Bank Stadium.

“I thought he had done a nice job last week (in a win over Cleveland),” McVay said after the game of his choice to start Long. “He was playing well. It’s really unfortunate.”

With Long employed as the upback in punt formation, and the last line of defense for punter Ethan Evans, two Ravens’ interior lineman crashed up the middle, pushing Rams blocker Christian Rozeboom backward. As Rozeboom was knocked to the wet turf, his momentum carried him into Long, whose right leg bore the brunt of an awkward hit.

It was the last straw in a frustrating year in which Long missed most of training camp and the preseason with a groin injury and then was placed on injured reserve to start the season with a thigh issue.

After sitting out the Rams’ first nine games, Long got a combined 36 snaps on offense and 23 on special teams in wins over the Seahawks, Cardinals and Browns in Weeks 11-13 before his start on Sunday.

Instead of Long taking advantage of his opportunity, Davis Allen did that for the Rams on Sunday. The rookie from Clemson took over at tight end and had four catches for 50 yards, including the first touchdown of his career.

“My heart hurts for Hunter. I love that guy, and I’m praying for him,” Allen said. “I hope he has a fast recovery.”

Los Angeles Rams tight end Hunter Long, a 2016 graduate of Exeter High School, stands near quarterback Matthew Stafford as a play comes in during Sunday's NFL game against Baltimore at M and T Bank Stadium.
Los Angeles Rams tight end Hunter Long, a 2016 graduate of Exeter High School, stands near quarterback Matthew Stafford as a play comes in during Sunday's NFL game against Baltimore at M and T Bank Stadium.

Illustrating how quickly opportunities can come and go in the NFL, Allen’s touchdown, on a 7-yard tight end screen, came seven plays after Long was hurt.

“A huge blessing, my parents got to be here to see it,” Allen said.

Those might have been Long’s words.

After Long emerged as an All-America player at Boston College, the Miami Dolphins selected him in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Long was inactive for 10 games. He started two and played in five others, getting 90 snaps on offense. Used mostly as a blocking back, he made one catch for eight yards.

In his second season, after Mike McDaniel replaced Brian Flores as the Dolphins coach, Long’s work rate didn’t change much as Mike Gisicki remained the team’s main receiving threat at tight end and Durham Smythe, the top blocker.

Inactive for eight games, Long played 93 snaps but was never targeted as a receiver.

In March of this year, the Dolphins traded Long plus a third-round draft pick for All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey.

Long was excited to get a fresh start with a new team before his injury problems this season.

“I think this is a great opportunity for me to showcase my skill-set and show what I can do in this league,” Long told TheRams.com after the trade.

The Rams did not make Long available after the game on Sunday or on Monday after news of his injury was released.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Exeter grad Hunter Long injured in first start for Los Angeles Rams