Byron Young’s absence from the Rams’ second training camp practice on Monday wasn’t treated like a major alarm, but it was enough to get attention. After sitting out, the edge rusher explained that he’s dealing with a knee injury and that the team is taking a measured approach.
“I practiced yesterday. I don't want to do too much and overload our workload,” said Young.
“We’ve got a plan to just take some time and get back out there in a couple of days. Day by day, we're trying to last for 17 games and the postseason."
Young made it clear the issue is with the same knee that has bothered him before. He said it’s something he’s been managing for years and pointed to the staff’s handling of it as a reason he’s comfortable with the plan.
“Yes, it’s the same knee,” said Young. “I trust the coaching staff. It’s been something I’ve been dealing with for years now and they’ve always come through for me and I trust them.”
The Rams have generally done a good job of getting through camp healthy in recent seasons, so any time a key player is held out, even for precautionary reasons, it naturally raises a few eyebrows. That’s especially true given the team’s long history of knee issues during the Sean McVay era.
Todd Gurley’s career with the Rams was derailed after the running back tore his ACL following his extension, and he was later cut while dealing with a degenerative knee condition. Terrell Lewis, drafted in 2020, never reached his potential because of persistent knee problems. Odell Beckham Jr.’s ACL tear in the Super Bowl is another injury that shaped what came next, and Ernest Jones was traded before he was due for an extension while dealing with recurring knee soreness.
Young’s own knee has been part of the story for a while. He played through a nagging issue last season, and McVay said at the time that it bothered him throughout the year but became more of a problem in the playoffs against the Chicago Bears, when Young was limited in snaps. After the season, McVay said he didn’t believe Young would need clean-out surgery.
Now, with Young on the final year of his rookie contract, the timing adds another layer. After the Rams traded for Myles Garrett, it already looked possible that Young could be on the way out after the season. A knee issue only makes that decision more complicated.
That doesn’t mean this is a crisis, but it also isn’t something the Rams can shrug off. Their roster is strong and deep, but it’s also built to lean heavily on its stars. If they’re going to hit their goals in 2026, staying healthy is going to matter just as much as talent.
There is at least one upside here: the Rams have depth at edge rusher. With Young out, Josaiah Stewart gets more chances to work, and he’s coming off a strong rookie season. The Rams will be looking for another jump from him in year two.
Still, Young remains a major piece of the defense. He led the team with 12.5 sacks last year, and pairing him with Garrett gives him a chance to thrive. For the Rams, the hope is simple: manage it now, and it pays off when the games count.
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