Davante Adams wasn’t the only Los Angeles Rams player to emerge from Sunday’s win over the Detroit Lions banged up. Rookie defensive lineman Braden Fiske is also dealing with an injury that could impact his availability on a short week.
“Braden Fiske came out of the game with a little soreness in his ankle and got banged up,” head coach Sean McVay said. “We’ll take it day to day with those guys [Fiske and Adams]. Based on the practice projection, they’ll both be DNPs, but we’ll take it all the way up to game time and see where they’re at. At this point, I’m not ruling anyone out.”
The Rams host the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night, leaving little time for recovery as the team manages multiple injury situations.
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What Happened on Sunday
Fiske appeared to get his foot stepped on during the second half against Detroit and was attended to by trainers on the sideline. He was later seen on the training table with his ankle being taped before returning to the bench.
After the game, Adam Grosbard of the Orange County Register observed Fiske walking with what he described as a “pretty good limp” in the locker room. The defensive lineman also had his left ankle wrapped, further raising questions about how realistic it is for him to turn around and play four days later.
The Rams have not disclosed the severity of the injury beyond what McVay offered, but the quick turnaround alone could complicate his status for Thursday.
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Production vs. Expectations
Fiske recorded three tackles and one quarterback hit in the win over the Lions. On the season, he now has two sacks, three tackles for loss, and six quarterback hits. Those numbers represent a noticeable drop from his rookie campaign, when he finished with 8.5 sacks and quickly became one of the Rams’ most disruptive interior defenders.
A deeper look shows the picture is more nuanced. While Fiske’s pass-rush production has dipped — both in sacks and overall pressure impact — his run defense has quietly improved. He’s allowing fewer yards per run in his gap than last season and has been more consistent holding the point of attack.
Still, the Rams drafted and developed Fiske, hoping he could be more than a complementary piece.
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What Happens If Fiske Can’t Go?
If Fiske is limited or sidelined, the Rams are not without options. Kobie Turner would likely see an expanded role. Turner has already outpaced Fiske as a pass rusher this season, posting 5.5 sacks with a comparable pressure rate while remaining steady against the run.
Tyler Davis would also be in line for increased snaps. While his pass-rush production is modest, Davis has been reliable against the run and has posted efficient results when called upon, making him a logical rotational stabilizer if the interior depth thins.
The rotation wouldn’t be as dynamic without Fiske, but the Rams have enough functional depth to survive short-term absences.
A Bigger Question Than One Injury
That broader evaluation was the focus of discussion recently on the Rams LAFB Show, where expert analyst Jon Ledyard offered a candid assessment of Fiske’s uneven sophomore season.
“I think specifically Braden Fiske, like he’s the one question I have,” Ledyard said. “We’ve seen San Francisco, Kansas City, Philadelphia — teams that have had a lot of success in the playoffs — do it with a group rotation. They had really good players, obviously, but they had depth, too. They were five or six deep on the front.”
Ledyard framed the issue less as a referendum on talent and more as a question of role and consistency.
“Is Fiske going to be that guy? … I think he’s been really hit or miss this season,” he said. “There would be some focus on him and what kind of player he can be at that level, if he can make one of those crazy runs we see from players in the playoffs out of nowhere.”
Why the Inconsistency Shows Up
Ledyard pointed to Fiske’s playing style as both his appeal and his limitation.
“He’s kind of a havoc guy,” Ledyard said. “The more havoc that’s created around him, the more he takes advantage. When that isn’t happening as much, when he has to win one-on-one, I don’t think he has a physical advantage over most guys in the league.”
Unlike many interior linemen who rely on length or power, Fiske wins with athleticism and timing. That can lead to splash plays — but also volatility.
“He relies on being a better athlete than everybody else,” Ledyard said. “He’s more of a solid athlete and a solid technician than someone who physically dominates people.”
One recurring issue, according to Ledyard, is pocket integrity.
“The biggest issue I have with Fisk is he’s on the floor a lot,” he said. “That’s a problem. You need to at least keep pocket integrity so other people can benefit from their rush ability.”
The Stakes Going Forward
Whether or not Fiske suits up on Thursday, the larger conversation around his development isn’t going away. The Rams don’t necessarily need him to be a star — but they do need him to be dependable within a collective rush plan.
“He’s still a player, I think you could see having one or two splash plays in a big playoff game,” Ledyard said. “Even if the larger sample size gives you some reasons to be concerned.”
For now, the Rams will take McVay’s approach: day to day, all the way to game time. But as the season tightens and the margins shrink, Braden Fiske’s health — and his consistency — loom larger than one short week.