Adam Grosbard reported that Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Kobie Turner “won’t practice today (Wednesday) with a back injury,” according to head coach Sean McVay. Turner’s absence from practice raises immediate concerns for Los Angeles as they prepare to host the Seattle Seahawks, a team that has leaned heavily on its running game despite inconsistent production.
Turner’s Role in the Rams’ Run Defense
Turner has been a cornerstone of the interior defensive line in 2025, balancing his time between pass-rushing and run-stopping duties. Through nine games, Turner has recorded 20 tackles, including 9 solo stops, 2 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks, showing the versatility McVay values on all three downs. Perhaps most impressively, Turner has a run stop percentage of 78.8%, meaning he prevents nearly four out of five opponent rushes from reaching a first down. Opposing running backs have averaged just 3.42 yards per carry when facing him, underscoring his ability to anchor the line and control gaps.
In the passing game, Turner has generated 25 total pressures, with 17 quarterback hurries, eight third-down pressures, and four red zone pressures, reflecting a player who contributes meaningfully in critical situations. His pass-rush and run-defense EPA metrics (+0.038 and -0.141, respectively) further highlight the balance he brings to the Rams’ front.
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Seahawks’ Running Attack
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Seattle enters Week 10 with a backfield that has shown flashes but remains inconsistent. Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet split carries, and while the Seahawks have had success near the goal line, their overall rushing efficiency ranks near the bottom third of the league. Despite a strong overall offensive efficiency (6th in EPA per play), the ground game has averaged just 3.78 yards per carry and posted a 38.6% rush success rate. This inconsistency makes Turner’s role against the run even more crucial, as his ability to collapse the middle and set the edge is key to forcing Seattle into predictable passing downs.
Implications for Sunday
Turner’s back injury leaves the Rams with a potential vulnerability in the trenches against a team that can exploit defensive gaps if given space. While Los Angeles has depth along the interior line, Turner’s combination of run-stopping and situational pass-rush ability is difficult to replace. They will need contributions from their other linemen and linebackers to prevent the Seahawks from establishing a rhythm on the ground.
McVay’s decision to limit Turner in practice may be precautionary, but the stakes are high: keeping Seattle’s rushing attack in check will be pivotal in maintaining the Rams’ momentum and protecting their 7-2 record. Turner’s health could very well dictate how physical and disruptive Los Angeles can be against the Seattle offensive line this Sunday.
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