The Los Angeles Rams defense is currently limping into Sunday’s Week 6 matchup with the Detroit Lions as multiple starters are dealing with injuries.
Three of the team’s four starting defensive lineman, defensive ends William Hayes and Roberts Quinn, and defensive tackle Michael Brockers all missed the team’s Week 5 30-19 loss to the Buffalo Bills, and their absence was greatly noticed as the Rams recorded just two sacks in the game and hit Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor just six times.
Additionally, the Rams top cornerback Trumaine Johnson left the game with an ankle injury prompting the team to claim former Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Dwayne Gratz off waivers.
According to Myles Simmons of therams.com, despite the rams having a day off on Thursday, Hayes, Quinn, Brockers and Johnson all would have missed practice, leaving their status for Sunday’s game in question:
No changes to Rams #InjuryReport on Thursday estimate. DT Brockers, DE Hayes, CB Johnson, DE Quinn, OG Wichmann all listed as DNP.
— Myles Simmons (@MylesASimmons) October 13, 2016
Quinn, who is sidelined with a shoulder injury, will hurt the Rams the most if he can’t play on Sunday as he has had a resurgent start to the season. In four games this season Quinn has six tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles, including the game-winning strip-sack of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson in Week 2 to help secure a 9-3 victory.
Hayes has 11 total tackles and a sack in three games, while Brockers has five tackles in four games.
Losing Johnson is also a big loss to the Rams secondary that also recently lost Coty Sensabaugh as he was cut after just four games with the Rams. In five games Johnson has 25 total tackles, nine passes defended, a fumble recovery and an interception.
Gratz will likely be counted on to play an extended roll against the Lions in Week 6 if Johnson cannot play.
