The Los Angeles Rams still have a shot at the No. 1 seed in the NFC despite their heartbreaking loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 16.
The Rams have shown they can beat any team in the NFL, though they’ve had several instances of failing to close out games due to their own mistakes.
While losing out on the No. 1 seed could be an issue, Los Angeles already clinched a playoff spot so they’ll at least be able to count on chasing after a Super Bowl.
As of now, the most important thing is for the Rams to get healthy and head coach Sean McVay offered an encouraging update about Roger McCreary, who could return in Week 17, via Wyatt Miller of TheRams.com:
Rams cornerback Roger McCreary returned to practice on Wednesday after spending the last four weeks on Injured Reserve with a groin injury. The team opened his 21-day practice window ahead of Week 17 with “the intentions of him being able to play,” head coach Sean McVay told reporters on Wednesday.
McVay also added that Quentin Lake will have his clock started this week with the plan for him to return for the postseason:
McVay also gave an update on safety Quentin Lake, a team captain and versatile defender who the Rams have been missing since Week 11 when he landed on IR with an elbow injury. The plan, McVay said, is for Lake to be available for the first game of the playoffs.
“What’s most likely is we’ll start his clock next week, with the expectations of him being ready, worst case in the playoffs, and then we’ll kind of see what that looks like for whoever we play in the last (regular season) game,” McVay said. “But he’s making great progress and he’s ready to go.”
McCreary only played one snap before landing on injured reserve with a hip injury, while Lake dislocated his elbow. The secondary has been shaky at best in recent weeks, so the reinforcements are beyond welcomed for an L.A. team looking to end the season on a high note.
The Rams draw the Atlanta Falcons in Week 17, so they have a good shot of bouncing back despite their coverage woes.
Rams won’t activate Rob Havenstein and Tyler Higbee for Week 17 against Falcons
The Rams have also been missing pieces on the offensive end as Rob Havenstein and Tyler Higbee have also been on IR. While both veterans have had their windows opened, they won’t be activated for Week 17 against the Falcons.