The Los Angeles Rams have made several roster moves, including activating safety Quentin Lake and placing linebacker Shaun Dolac on IR.
The Los Angeles Rams have an important matchup with the Carolina Panthers for Wild Card Weekend, as the playoffs will get started on Saturday.
Ahead of the crucial matchup, the Rams have made several roster moves, including activating Quentin Lake.
Rams head coach Sean McVay indicated previously that Lake would be ready to play in the first game of the playoffs, and that is true.
After suffering an elbow injury that landed him on IR, Lake is back to action. The Rams also awarded him a three-year extension ahead of his return to the field.
Though the team is getting back a defensive leader and team captain, the Rams also lost a special teams standout.
Linebacker Shaun Dolac has been placed on injured reserve, which will end his season. Dolac suffered a knee injury in the second half of the win against the Arizona Cardinals, and he did not return.
McVay indicated on Tuesday that Dolac would get an MRI to determine the severity of his knee, and it appears the result has led to a stint on IR.
Additionally, the Rams have terminated the practice squad contract of safety Nate Valcarcel and signed linebacker Ben Niemann.
Despite losing Dolac, the Rams are getting healthy for this playoff run. Wide receiver Davante Adams is expected back, but McVay has not indicated if Kevin Dotson will be ready to play in the Wild Card Round.
Injury reports will reveal more, but most starters should be ready to go against the Panthers.
The Rams were able to defeat the Cardinals, which pushed them into the fifth seed for the NFC. Had they lost or the Seattle Seahawks lost to the San Francisco 49ers, they would have faced the Philadelphia Eagles.
With the Panthers matchup, the Rams play a presumably worse team, on paper. However, any team that accomplishes a playoff berth can be dangerous.
Los Angeles will need to ensure the defense can stop Bryce Young, Rico Dowdle, and Tetairoa McMillan. Conversely, the offensive line needs to keep Matthew Stafford from suffering sacks at the hands of the Panthers' defense.
Either way, the Rams are getting back one of their team and defensive leaders in Lake. Lake's return comes at the perfect time.