Super Bowl LVI on February 13, 2022, featured the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals. This verified profile explains who played, who started, and how roster decisions shaped the game for both teams.
Rosters and Starters for Super Bowl 2022
Below is a summary of the official gameday rosters and the players who took the field to open the game. Starters are bolded.
| Team | Position | Starter | Notable Substitutes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Rams | QB | Matthew Stafford | John Wolford |
| RB | Darrell Henderson | Cam Akers | |
| WR | Cooper Kupp | Tight ends and slot backs | |
| WR | Brandin Cooks | Allen Robinson II | |
| TE | Tyler Higbee
| None significant |
| |
| LT | Andrew Whitworth | Ruben Cruz | |
| CB | Jalen Ramsey | Nick Scott | |
| Cincinnati Bengals | QB | Joe Burrow | none entered |
| RB | Joe Mixon | Miles Sanders | |
| WR | Ja'Marr Chase | Tight ends and perimeter routes | |
| WR | Tyler Boyd | Trenton Irwin, Samaria Milton | |
| TE | Tyler Eifert | Drew Sample | |
| LT | Evan McKenzie | Jonah Williams | |
| CB | Mike Hilton | K'Lavon Chaisson |
Coaching Staff and Sideline Presence
Coaching decisions heavily influenced who played and when. Each team’s sideline staff affected in-game adjustments and personnel.
Los Angeles Rams
Head coach: Sean McVay. McVay managed the game plan around Matthew Stafford and the passing attack while leaning on a stout defensive front to control field position.
Cincinnati Bengals
Head coach: Zac Taylor. Taylor called plays for Joe Burrow and defended against the run with a stacked box, while defensive play calls proved pivotal in key moments.
Key Substitutions and Situational Usage
In high-leverage moments, each roster decision carried outsized weight. Understanding substitutions helps clarify who played and when it mattered most.
- Rams: Running the ball with Darrell Henderson early to set the tempo; later shifts to pass-oriented formations with Cooper Kupp aligned wide.
- Bengals: Keeping Joe Mixon in the backfield for inside-zone runs; using Tyler Boyd in timing routes to counter Rams’ edge pressure.
- Defensive changes: Rams rotated pass rushers to maintain pressure; Bengals adjusted defensive line alignments to counter interior runs.
Notable Injuries and Availability Notes
Game-time injury and practice limitations influenced lineups in the days leading up to the game. The following notes explain availability changes that affected who played on gameday.
- Rams: Practice squad depth allowed for fresh legs at receiver; minor knocks did not derail starter availability.
- Bengals: No major gameday injuries reported among primary offensive starters, enabling a consistent lineup.
Historical Context: The 2022 Super Bowl Rosters in Context
Super Bowl LVI was notable for two offenses built around elite signal-callers and complementary playmakers. The Rams’ veteran presence and route precision complemented the Bengals’ youth and explosive receiving corps. Each roster blended experience and athleticism, with coaching experience on both sides shaping in-game tempo and personnel usage.
Why Rosters and Substitutions Matter for This Game
Player deployment affects outcomes in the passing game, run game, and defensive adjustments. Depth chart decisions, situational substitutions, and injury management all contributed to how the game unfolded on February 13, 2022.