The Los Angeles Rams are getting an early taste of just how fragile their high-stakes 2025 season could be.
During Thursday’s practice in Woodland Hills, star edge rusher Jared Verse — the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year and perhaps the team’s most irreplaceable defender — was forced to leave early after colliding knee-to-knee with defensive tackle Braden Fiske. Head coach Sean McVay confirmed the incident afterward, noting that while the full extent of the injury is still unclear, the scene was concerning.
“Bumped knees with Braden,” McVay said. “We’re not sure how serious it is yet.”
According to the Associated Press’ Greg Beacham, Verse “was down for a little while” and needed assistance from trainers to get off the field. He did not return to practice.
Los Angeles Rams’ Helped Off Field After Injuring Knee
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For a Rams team with postseason expectations and a roster that’s taken on a younger identity over the past two seasons, any extended absence for Verse would be a massive blow. He isn’t just a rising star — he’s already become one of the most productive edge rushers in football.
Verse finished his rookie campaign with 4.5 sacks, 66 tackles, and 18 quarterback hits, but his impact goes well beyond traditional stats. Per Pro Football Focus, he led the entire league in total pressures (89) when including the playoffs — a staggering number for a first-year player. He also added two sacks, three tackles for loss, and a defensive touchdown in the postseason, helping fuel the Rams’ surprise run.
The former No. 19 overall pick was named to the Pro Bowl and quickly earned a reputation as one of the league’s most relentless, high-motor defenders. It’s no exaggeration to say he’s a Defensive Player of the Year candidate heading into his sophomore season — or that the Rams’ defensive identity now largely revolves around his presence off the edge.
That’s what makes Thursday’s injury scare so unsettling.
While McVay and the Rams are hopeful it’s nothing more than a minor setback, the timing couldn’t be worse. The Rams are preparing to face the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday in their first preseason game, and Verse’s injury adds to a growing list of health concerns. Guard Kevin Dotson, one of the team’s top offensive linemen, suffered a chest contusion earlier in the week during a joint practice. McVay said Dotson is expected to return soon, but it’s yet another example of how physically taxing August can be.
The Rams will know more about Verse’s status in the coming days. But Thursday was a reminder: their margin for error this season is slim, and their most important players — like Jared Verse — are already being tested.
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