Rams' defense is very shorthanded these days

Rams' defense is very shorthanded these days

by Alden Gonzalez

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Rams have yet to see five of their projected defensive starters in a preseason game.

One, defensive lineman Dominique Easley, is out for the year after tearing his ACL. Another, defensive lineman Aaron Donald, continues to hold out. And three others -- cornerback Kayvon Webster, outside linebacker Robert Quinn and inside linebacker Mark Barron -- have been kept out of the first two preseason contests, either because of a minor injury or as part of a long-term maintenance plan.

The Rams' defense has looked good all summer, but the most encouraging signs from the first team have been confined to 11-on-11 drills during practice.

First-year head coach Sean McVay is still waiting to get a glimpse of what it all looks like in live action.

"When you talk about some of the players that we’re anticipating we'd like to be a big part of what we're doing this year, it does make it a little bit more difficult because of the importance of those guys playing together -- the calls, the communication," McVay said Sunday, following a 24-21 win over the Oakland Raiders on Saturday night. "Just like anything else on offense, you talk about those defensive guys having that continuity, being able to play together."

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