Rams secondary of primary concern against Lions

Rams secondary of primary concern against Lions

By RICH HAMMOND / STAFF WRITER

DETROIT – The Rams’ top cornerback was out with an injury, so another stepped up and made a game-changing play. It happened last season against Detroit, so can it happen again?

To be sure, the loss of Trumaine Johnson is no small thing for the Rams. He’s been playing well, and while he’s out with an ankle injury the Rams secondary will be challenged, particularly on Sunday against the Detroit Lions and strong-armed quarterback Matthew Stafford at Ford Field.

“Everybody knows that Tru is a great corner for us,” safety Maurice Alexander said this week. “It’s hard, but it’s the ‘next man up’ philosophy. That’s what we live by on defense.”

That man, now, is E.J. Gaines. In last year’s game against Detroit, top cornerback Janoris Jenkins was out with a concussion. Johnson stepped into the No. 1 spot and returned an interception 58 yards for a touchdown in the Rams’ 21-14 victory.

Now, with Johnson out, Gaines moves into the top spot. Set to be a starter in 2015, before a season-ending foot injury, Gaines missed much of training camp with injuries but has looked strong in his last two games.

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