If there was any good news coming out of the Los Angeles Rams 20-15 win over the Las Vegas Raiders it was all on the defensive side of the ball. One of the bright spots for that game and all season is the play of rookie second-round defensive lineman Braden Fiske.
He came up with two pressures, three tackles, and a STOP. He is currently the rookie defender with the second most pressures this season (17), behind only his teammate, Jared Verse.
Braden Fiske Back Injury To Be Monitored On Short Week
Now Stu Jackson, Rams senior staff writer, is reporting that Fiske sustained a back injury in the game.
“Sean McVay said Braden Fiske’s back was a little sore coming out of yesterday’s game vs. Raiders.” Jackson posted on X.com. “We’ll see” what Fiske’s availability for Thursday Night Football vs. Vikings looks like.
He also reported that it is something the team will be monitoring for the three days leading into the TNF game against the Minnesota Vikings. Having a short week is certainly not beneficial to Fiske’s chances of playing in the game or at the very least playing at full capacity, or as McVay likes to phrase it, return to performance. Not return to play.
Status of the Rest of the Rams’ Defensive Line
The defensive line isn’t without its injuries although the starting rotation has been mostly healthy, which has been a rarity for the Rams. There hasn’t been a unit that hasn’t lost a starter due to injury outside of running back and linebacker. The defensive line has been without Larrell Murchison, who missed the first part of the season with an arm injury only to come back and almost immediately break his foot.
In reaction to the Murchison injury, the Rams brought back interior defensive lineman Jonah Williams. He has yet to play. Neville Gallimore, rookie Tyler Johnson, and Desjuan Johnson round out the rest of the room.
Fiske started the season playing nearly 80 percent of the team’s defensive snaps. As the season has rolled on, his role has rolled back — playing in just over 50 percent in the last three games. If Fiske misses time, except for Bobby Brown III and Gallimore to pick up the largest snap share. Jonah Williams may see his first action as well.