Trent McDuffie’s status is the big question hanging over the Rams’ Week 8 matchup, and the signs point toward caution rather than a quick return.
McDuffie has been one of the bright spots from Los Angeles’ aggressive offseason moves, fitting into the secondary and thriving once he got on the field. In five starts, he has posted 16 tackles, one interception and seven passes defensed, while holding receivers to a 33 percent catch rate. That kind of production is exactly why the Rams want him healthy for the long haul.
But he has also already missed two games with a groin injury, and that’s the kind of issue that can linger in the middle of a season. He was listed as questionable on the final injury reports for Weeks 6 and 7, then sat out both contests. He is questionable again for Week 8.
That makes this a spot where the Rams may choose patience over urgency. A game against the 0-6 Los Angeles Chargers may not be the moment to push McDuffie back onto the field, especially with bigger demands ahead later in the season. The team knows how important he is as the schedule tightens up.
The Rams’ offseason investment on defense has produced mixed results overall. General manager Les Snead traded valuable future draft picks to bring in present-day help, but Myles Garrett, McDuffie and Jaylen Watson have combined to play just 12 of 21 possible games. McDuffie’s play has been the clearest success story, but his availability has been the issue.
For now, backup Josh Wallace has helped buy the Rams some breathing room, giving McDuffie time to recover without forcing the issue. Even though he is officially questionable, the safer bet is that Los Angeles waits another week. With a difficult stretch looming after the mid-November bye, the Rams may decide that McDuffie’s return is better saved for a bigger moment.
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