With only a week left in the preseason, key players on the Los Angeles Rams are one step closer to their goal of making it to the 2019 NFL season with their health almost fully intact.
Among the most notable players hobbled by injury through preseason and training camp is Aqib Talib. The veteran has not been able to log in much practice time while dealing with a nagging hamstring issue.
As a result, the Rams have taken a rather cautious approach with his recovery with the hope of having him 100 percent for the start of the regular season. It appears he is finally ready to make his return.
According to the team’s official website, Talib is expected to be a full participant in practice this week:
CB Aqib Talib will be cleared for full participation in practice at some point this week after dealing with a “little twinge” in his hamstring since joint practices with the Raiders, according to McVay.
This is certainly an encouraging sign for Talib. His ability to log in a full practice the entire week could be a huge indicator of his status for the 2019 NFL season opener.
The Rams have expressed high hopes that he will be available in the season opener versus the Carolina Panthers. Regardless, it would make sense for them to take every precaution heading into the year.
Talib spent the bulk of the 2018 campaign on injured reserve while recovering from a surgically-repaired ankle. As a result, the veteran needed some time to find his footing as the No. 1 corner once he was able to make his return.
Los Angeles struggled mightily in his absence with Marcus Peters taking on the heavy lifting in the secondary. Talib has helped serve as a stabilizing factor for this otherwise young group and he will continue to be relied upon heavily once this team starts gearing up for the playoffs once again.
Talib and Peters will be looking to pick up where they left off last season as one of the most talented cornerback tandems in the NFL. Although they have each proven to be effective players in their own right, they were much better when both of them are on the field at the same time.
Expectations remain as high as ever for the Rams heading into the 2019 campaign fresh off their loss in Super Bowl 53. It is safe to say that a player of Talib’s caliber would not have it any other way at this stage in his illustrious career.
