The surging Los Angeles Rams have suffered multiple blows.
The Rams placed starting safety Quentin Lake, starting tight end Tyler Higbee and starting right tackle Rob Havenstein on injured reserve Wednesday. All three played in Sunday’s win over the Seattle Seahawks. They’ll each miss at least four games with seven remaining in the regular season.
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Head coach Sean McVay told reporters that there’s hope that each could return this season as the Rams contend for the No. 1 seed in the NFC and the Super Bowl. But none will be eligible to return until Week 16 in a rematch against the Seahawks. They’ll each miss the next four games at a minimum.
Higbee sustained an ankle injury in Sunday’s game. Havenstein is dealing with knee and ankle issues. But the biggest blow is the loss of Lake, who underwent surgery. McVay confirmed that Lake had surgery Tuesday for a dislocated elbow that he sustained against the Seahawks.
Lake’s injury a big blow to Rams defense
A fourth-year pro and a team captain, Lake is in the midst of his best season in the NFL. In 10 starts, Lake has a career-high 10 passes defended in addition to 61 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery.
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The Rams, meanwhile, took over sole possession of first place in the NFC West with Sunday’s win and are tied with the Philadelphia Eagles for the best record in the NFC at 8-2. Their schedule includes three remaining games against NFC playoff contenders as they face the Buccaneers, Panthers, Cardinals, Lions, Seahawks, Falcons and the Cardinals again in the stretch run of their season.
The Rams will seek to close their season with the NFC’s best record to secure the No. 1 seed in the playoffs and a first-round bye. They’ll do so for most if not all of those games without multiple key players.
