The Rams won’t have their second-best defensive player in their “Monday Night Football” game against the Cardinals in Week 14.
Los Angeles’ top cornerback, Jalen Ramsey, will be no match for the divisional clash. He’s a moron on Monday afternoons.
The Rams have now lost five players – and four starters – in the lead in Arizona. That will give the Cardinals a big advantage as they look to take the lead in the NFC West.
Why doesn’t Ramsey play on Monday night? Here’s the latest on his absence and how the Rams can find a way to replace him and their other missing pieces.
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Why doesn’t Jalen Ramsey play with the Cardinals?
Jalen Ramsey did not compete because he tested positive for COVID-19 before the game. Adam Schefter of ESPN reported.
The Rams have placed CB Jalen Ramsey and TE Tyler Higbee on the Subs/COVID-19 roster. Both players out of tonight’s game vs.
– Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 13, 2021
Ramsey and Higbee were placed on the reserve/COVID list after testing positive. That knocked them out of the game Monday night and made them questionable for the Rams’ Week 15 tilt to the Seahawks.
If Ramsey and Higbee were immunized, they would have to be symptom-free and test negative for COVID twice no less than 24 hours apart to qualify to play against Seattle. If they are not vaccinated, then they will not be eligible to compete.
It looks like Higbee’s test may have been a false positive since he had tested negative twice after the initial positive test. If his PCR test comes back negative, he could return to the team on Tuesday, according to Schefter. He’s out on Monday regardless.
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Rams . reverse angle depth chart
Rams will miss Ramsey very much. He is their best defensive back and second best defensive player, just behind Aaron Donald. Ramsey has made 59 tackles, 11 defences, 3 interceptions and a mandatory fumble in 12 games this season while playing 94% of the team’s defensive saves. Only safe Taylor Rapp has played more.
Actually, Rams will not have some obstacles. They placed Robert Rochell on the injured bench on Saturday while Donte Deayon was on the COVID list ahead of Ramsey. Darious Williams and David Long are the only full-backs on the active roster to have played counter-attacking defense this year. The Rams will have to rely on their special team depth and safe depth to help fill positions.
Awaiting a call-up to the practice lineup, here’s how the Rams’ depth of field chart should look:
- Darious Williams
- David Long
- Tyler Hall *
- Grant Haley *
* Indicates players practice formation.
Hopefully Kliff Kingsbury, Kyler Murray and Cardinals will test this group soon to see if they can exploit any weaknesses.
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Rams . tight end depth chart
Higbee’s absence will also make it difficult for the Rams. They are also forehands when it comes to tight ends. Top sub Johnny Mundt is out for the year with his ACL torn and special teammate Jacob Harris on the bench injured. Kendall Blanton and Brycen Hopkins, who have combined to play 52 offensive moves this year, will play the majority of the game.
Blanton played faster than Hopkins, so here’s how the Rams’ tight end depth chart should look with Higbee, depending on the practice team calls.
- Kendall Blanton
- Brycen Hopkins
- Jared Pinckney *
* Indicates players practice formation.
Given the group’s inexperience, don’t be surprised if Sean McVay goes out more than usual on Monday night.
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Rams . COVID/Reserve List
The Rams have five players on their sub/COVID roster:
- RB Darrell Henderson
- OT Rob Havenstein
- CB Donte Deayon
- CB Jalen Ramsey
- TE Tyler Higbee
Havenstein, Henderson, Higbee and Ramsey were the main starters and Deayon played a key role in the nickel packages. Their absence will put the Rams in a tough spot in their battle with the 10-2 Cardinals, who display the NFL’s best record.
