The Los Angeles Rams could be without a key player on defense for their game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday as Omar Speights is considered doubtful due to a high ankle sprain.
Speights sustained the injury in the Rams’ overtime loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 5. It limited him to playing only 44% of the team’s defensive snaps in the game.
With Speights unlikely to go, the Rams have been trying to figure out who will start in his place at inside linebacker alongside Nate Landman against the Ravens. Head coach Sean McVay reiterated that Troy Reeder and Shaun Dolac are the leading candidates.
“We’ll work through that,” McVay said. “I have a lot of confidence in Troy. We have a lot of confidence in some of the different guys. Obviously, Dolac.
“We only have four guys on the roster, but Troy is a guy that’s shown that he’s more than capable, as is Shaun Dolac. We have guys on the practice squad but haven’t gotten too far deep into that quite yet.”
Reeder played two snaps against the 49ers last week and allowed a touchdown catch to Christian McCaffrey. Despite his struggles in coverage, Reeder has starting experience and that could give him an advantage over Dolac.
Dolac made the Rams roster as an undrafted free agent after an impressive training camp and preseason. He has yet to play a defensive snap but continues to make an impact on special teams.
No matter who earns the starting spot on Sunday, the Rams will likely use both Reeder and Dolac at various points in the game, so they should have an opportunity to stand out against the Ravens.
Rams could get back several key players against Ravens
While Speights is expected to miss Sunday’s game against the Ravens, the Rams should be getting back several key players.
Backup tight end Colby Parkinson began the week in concussion protocol but is on track to return against the Ravens.
Meanwhile, starting tight end Tyler Higbee and right tackle Rob Havenstein have made good progress from their respective injuries and could return to the Rams starting lineup as well.
Higbee has been dealing with a hip injury and did not play against the 49ers. If he and Parkinson are able to play on Sunday, the Rams would have all of their tight ends back.
Havenstein also missed the game against the 49ers with an ankle injury, which saw Warren McClendon start in his place.
