The Los Angeles Rams were hampered by the injury bug in their Week 3 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, losing starting cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib to respective calf and ankle injuries.
While Peters was able to suit up in Thursday’s matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, Talib was not quite as fortunate. The five-time Pro Bowler was placed on injured reserve, as he underwent surgery to repair a high-ankle sprain.
The loss of Talib, for the time being, is a major blow to a Rams defense that has flashed brilliance early on. The unit currently places fourth in points allowed per game (16.8) and additionally ranks ninth in yards allowed (333.5).
While Talib is slated to miss a minimum of eight weeks, Rams head coach Sean McVay is increasingly optimistic that he will be able to return to the gridiron by the start of December, according to Cameron DaSilva of Rams Wire:
“It was good, like we mentioned. We’re hopeful that, really, within that eight-week timetable if we want to use that designated to return tag on him, he’ll be ready to go. But, it wasn’t anything that – because if you did go in there and there was a couple different things that they had to do, you’re talking about, ‘Yeah, it’s probably season-ending,’ and that was not the news that we got.
“So, we’re very encouraged and I know Aqib feels that way. Looking forward to getting him back. I don’t know exactly what that date would be, but I know that the anticipation is to get him back with a few games left in the season. We’ll see where we’re at from there.”
That McVay is confident in the possibility of Talib returning this season is certainly a positive development for the Rams. The 32-year-old will have roughly a month to get up to game speed, just in time for a potential Super Bowl run.
In three games this season, Talib has accumulated nine tackles, two passes defended and one forced fumble.
