Unlikely 2018 when they were able to stay relatively healthy, the Los Angeles Rams have been bitten by the injury bug early in the 2019 season.
The team just placed two of it’s best defensive players on injured reserve in Aqib Talib and John Johnson III. After trading Marcus Peters to the Baltimore Ravens, their secondary is heading into this Sunday’s matchup with the Atlanta Falcons extremely short-handed.
Luckily, reinforcements are on the way as the Rams also made another blockbuster trade, acquiring Jalen Ramsey from the Jacksonville Jaguars. Ramsey had missed the last three games due to a back injury though and due to the amount of travel he has gone through this week, it was unclear if he would be able to get on the field this weekend.
Rams head coach Sean McVay provided an update on Ramsey, as well as running backs Todd Gurley and Malcolm Brown on Friday, and it looks like the plan is for both Ramsey and Gurley to play against the Falcons, while Brown is doubtful, via Greg Beacham of the Associated Press:
The Rams "anticipate" Jalen Ramsey and Todd Gurley playing on Sunday in Atlanta, Sean McVay says.
Malcolm Brown didn't practice for the Rams today and he's doubtful for Sunday.
— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) October 18, 2019
The Falcons have one of the better passing offenses in the league featuring wide receivers Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley and Mohamed Sanu, so having Ramsey available to play is obviously a big boost for the Rams secondary.
Gurley missed last week’s game with a thigh injury and the Rams rushing attack struggled without him, making his return that much more important.
Brown injured his ankle in that loss to the San Francisco 49ers so if he is unable to go, which looks like it will be the case, then rookie Darrell Henderson would serve as Gurley’s backup.
The Rams desperately need a win in this one after losing three straight to fall to 3-3. The Falcons have lost four straight and are 1-5 on the year though, which makes them a formidable opponent to help the Rams get back on track.
