One of the biggest benefits of the bye week is the chance for players to get healthy and take a week off from the grind of the season. For the Rams, several key players are on the verge of returning in Week 8 when they face the 49ers on the road, their first game coming out of the bye.
Here’s an update on the Rams’ current injury situation, laying out which players are returning and who will remain out for a few more weeks.
Returning in Week 8: Cobie Durant, Troy Hill, Brian Allen, Van Jefferson
Sean McVay has already said that Durant, Hill, Allen and Jefferson will be back after the Week 7 bye, which is excellent news. Hill, Allen and Jefferson should all step in as starters right away against the 49ers in Week 8, while Durant will also have a chance to start if he can unseat Derion Kendrick.
Durant has missed four games with a hamstring injury, Allen has missed five games with a knee injury, Jefferson hasn’t played yet after having knee surgery and Hill has been out since injuring his groin in Week 2.
Nearing a return: Kyren Williams
McVay didn’t say that Williams will be activated from injured reserve after the bye, but he did say the team can start having the conversation of designating him to return soon. After he’s designated to return, he’ll have 21 days to practice and eventually be activated.
Out at least a few more weeks: David Edwards, Jordan Fuller, Coleman Shelton
Edwards was placed on injured reserve on Oct. 11 after suffering his second concussion of the season, so his timeline to return is unclear. At the very least, he’ll need to miss three more games while on IR.
Fuller landed on IR just before Week 5, so he’s only missed two of the four games he’s required to sit out. He’s dealing with a hamstring injury.
Shelton was put on IR the same day as Fuller after he injured his ankle, and his timetable to return was set at 4-6 weeks, so he won’t be back for at least two more weeks following the bye.
Unknown: Quentin Lake, Daniel Hardy, Travin Howard
There’s been no update given on any of these three players. None of them have played a single snap this season and there’s no sign of them returning any time soon. It’s really just wait-and-see mode with them right now, and there’s no guarantee any of them will even be activated this season.
