The Los Angeles Rams’ front seven was already coming off a dominant Week 1 showing, and now their matchup against the Tennessee Titans in Week 2 just tilted further in their favor. Right tackle JC Latham, the team’s first-round pick in 2024, confirmed Thursday that he won’t be playing against LA due to a hip injury.
“Yeah,” Latham said when asked directly if he’d miss Sunday’s game, via Turron Davenport of ESPN.
Titans RT JC Latham Expects To Miss Rams Contest
The rookie-turned-sophomore lineman exited Tennessee’s Week 1 loss to the Broncos in the fourth quarter after a two-yard run by Tony Pollard. Replacement Olisaemeka Udoh immediately surrendered a sack on his first snap, and quarterback Cam Ward was taken down again on the following play. Latham attempted to return but aggravated the injury and could not finish.
“It made it worse,” Latham admitted. “It’s a strain so you can’t really do anything. I’m still taking the approach mentally getting as much film as I can like as if I’m actually playing.”
The Titans’ protection issues were glaring even before Latham’s departure. Ward was sacked six times in the opener, with Denver racking up 20 total pressures and 12 quarterback hits. Latham himself was beaten by Jonathon Cooper on one of the sacks.
Now Tennessee will be without its starting right tackle against a Rams defense that just forced three sacks, two turnovers, and held the Houston Texans to under 300 yards in Week 1. Chris Shula’s defense was relentless, finishing tied for the NFL lead in pressure rate at 83.3 percent.
That pressure came from everywhere. Edge rushers Jared Verse—the reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year—and Byron Young led the way with two pressures each, but they were joined by inside linebacker Nate Landman, safety Jaylen McCollough, and interior linemen Tyler Davis and Poona Ford. The scheme ensured that Houston’s protection could never key on one spot.
For the Titans, the matchup couldn’t come at a worse time. After selecting Latham seventh overall in 2024 and moving him to the right side this season following the signing of Dan Moore Jr., the team hoped to solidify its offensive line. Instead, Latham has already missed time with injuries, and his absence now exposes Ward to another fierce pass rush.
The Rams, who open the year at 1-0, will look to capitalize on Tennessee’s weakened front as they try to keep momentum rolling. With Verse and Young coming off the edge, and Shula dialing up pressure from every level, the absence of Latham may prove to be a decisive factor under the Monday night lights.
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