The Rams may be heading into Sunday with a battered secondary, and the biggest concern is still hanging over their two starting cornerbacks.
Jaylen Watson is already done for the season after the team ruled him out earlier this week with a shoulder injury. Now Trent McDuffie is also in question after missing the entire week of practice because of a back injury, leaving him officially listed as questionable for the matchup with the Washington Commanders.
If both corners sit, Los Angeles would be leaning on Josh Wallace and Emmanuel Forbes as its top two options on the outside. Wallace has already been pressed into action at different points this season for McDuffie and Watson, but Forbes has mostly worked in a rotational role. Against Washington, and against his former team, he would be asked to handle a full-time job for the first time this year.
There was better news elsewhere on Friday. The Rams announced that Myles Garrett will return against the Commanders, and Terrance Ferguson is also set to be back in the lineup. Ferguson has been out since Week 3 with a medial ankle sprain, and his return comes at a good time with Washington sitting 32nd in DVOA against tight ends.
That said, the Rams still have some uncertainty at the position. Colby Parkinson was upgraded from non-participant to limited on Friday, but he remains questionable for Sunday.
Los Angeles could also be short-handed on special teams, with long snapper Joe Cardona likely out as he deals with an ankle injury. That would leave Jake McQuaide in that role.
Wide receiver Jordan Whittington, linebacker Grant Stuard, and safety Kam Curl are also listed as questionable. Curl moved up to limited participation on Friday, but his status is still unresolved.
If he can play, he’ll have extra motivation against his former team.
The good news for the Rams is that Steve Avila and Matthew Stafford are both clear. Stafford was a full participant all week while managing an elbow injury, and Avila was full the last two days as he works through a hamstring issue. Neither carries an injury designation.
Washington has its own absences to manage. Treylon Burks and Dyami Brown have both been ruled out at wide receiver, while defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton is questionable.
If McDuffie and Watson both end up sidelined, and Curl can’t go either, the Rams’ secondary will be under real pressure. Garrett’s return should help lighten the load, but Los Angeles may still have to survive Sunday by trusting its depth.
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Myles Garrett Puts Rams Defensive Momentum To The Test Sunday
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Garrett has been the kind of force offenses have to account for snap after snap, and the Rams will be watching closely to see whether that edge presence translates into the kind of disruption that changes a game plan. With Washington dealing with the challenge of protecting Coleman against one of the leagues most disruptive defenders, this is the sort of test that can either reinforce what Los Angeles has been building or expose how much work still remains. [Read more 🡒]