Tight finish Tyler Higbee is on monitor to return on Sunday for the season finale in opposition to the Arizona Cardinals.
Security Quentin Lake might be again for the playoffs. Star receiver Davante Adams additionally might be held out until then.
The Rams, coming off consecutive losses to the Seattle Seahawks and the Atlanta Falcons, may seem like limping towards their seventh postseason look in 9 seasons below coach Sean McVay.
However a group that was regarded by many as the category of the league halfway via the season needs to be at or close to full energy after they play an NFC wild-card sport subsequent weekend.
“We’re getting wholesome on the proper time,” McVay mentioned Friday.
Lake agreed.
“The league and the world form of knew the place we had been at after we had been at full energy,” Lake mentioned. “We’re getting guys again on the proper time and I really feel like we’re going to hit our stride on the proper time.”
The Rams, who at one time had been seeded No. 1 within the NFC, are at the moment seeded No. 6.
If the San Francisco 49ers lose to the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, and the Rams defeat the Cardinals on Sunday at SoFi Stadium, the Rams will climb to No. 5.
Regardless, McVay reiterated Friday that starters would play in opposition to the Cardinals, although how a lot stays to be seen.
A number of starters are questionable due to accidents, together with working backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum due to ankle accidents and left deal with Alaric Jackson due to a knee damage that saved him out of final Monday’s loss to the Falcons.
Proper guard Kevin Dotson, who additionally sat out in opposition to the Falcons due to an ankle damage, is not going to play Sunday, and his standing for the wild-card spherical stays unsure.
The Rams additionally sooner or later will decide concerning veteran proper deal with Rob Havenstein. The Eleventh-year professional has been on injured reserve since mid-November. Warren McClendon Jr. has performed nicely in his place, however Havenstein would give McVay flexibility if Jackson had been injured and McClendon moved to the left facet.
The Rams’ 27-24 loss to the Falcons didn’t end result completely due to accidents, however the holes left by lacking starters had been obvious and in some circumstances obtrusive.
Veteran deal with D.J. Humphries struggled in Jackson’s place, and guard Justin Dedich shouldn’t be as huge and robust as Dotson. Falcons working again Bijan Robinson ran roughshod via a protection that was lacking Lake.
Rams offensive deal with Alaric Jackson, proper, blocks Detroit Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson throughout a Rams win on Dec. 14.
(Harry How / Getty Photos)
“There’s a motive why these guys which were missed are starters,” McVay mentioned, talking typically, “as a result of they offer us one of the best probability to play on the optimum ranges.”
Rams tight ends have performed nicely throughout Higbee’s absence, however McVay and quarterback Matthew Stafford are anticipating the Tenth-year professional’s return.
Higbee caught 20 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns in 9 video games earlier than he was injured throughout a Nov. 16 victory over the Seahawks.
He’s trying ahead to getting again into the circulation on sport day.
“Simply attempt to be myself, convey the power, convey the physicality and attempt to make some performs when it’s my flip,” Higbee mentioned.
Stafford has deftly utilized tight ends Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen and Terrance Ferguson. Now he mentioned he’ll welcome again Higbee, “the final word group participant,” who helps bind teammates.
“All people calls him a glue man,” Stafford mentioned, “in all probability an understatement.”
Lake, a group captain, additionally brings greater than expertise to the sector, which the Rams formally acknowledged this week after they awarded him a three-year extension that features greater than $25 million in ensures.
Lake has been sidelined since struggling a left elbow damage that required surgical procedure. He started practising this week, and mentioned he can be prepared for the playoffs.
“The physician was saying, ‘You got here again fairly quick, however in case you really feel good and you’ve got all of the energy and vary of movement, go forward and lower it unfastened.’
“That’s precisely what I’m going to do.”
Adams sat out the final two video games due to a hamstring damage, however he nonetheless leads the NFL with 14 landing catches.
Adams was restricted in practices this week.
“We wish to make it possible for we’re getting all the things able to roll and being sensible with him due to the place that he performs and the stress that that hamstring takes with among the various things that we activate with him,” McVay mentioned.
Star receiver Puka Nacua is amongst these joyful to see Higbee, Lake and Adams on the observe area once more.
“It’s enjoyable to have all these guys on the market,” he mentioned. “I’d say their presence is certainly missed.”
