Hollins could play ILB when he returns from IR…

Justin Hollins could play inside linebacker when he returns from IR

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

Skyler Carlin

If you haven’t heard, the Los Angeles Rams acquired Von Miller via trade, giving the team a good problem to have on the defensive side of the ball. With the Rams inserting an All-Pro outside linebacker to their pass-rushing unit, Sean McVay iterated that Los Angeles could get creative with how it utilizes Justin Hollins once he returns from injured reserve.

McVay suggested that Hollins could play inside linebacker when he comes back from his pec injury, displaying the versatility and position flexibility to move around the defense.

“I think when you look at the versatility that Justin provides. I think he really established himself as a legitimate outside backer. But his versatility was one of the things that was so enticing that Brandon (Staley) had a really good feel for when we put in a claim for him last year and I thought he only built on his role,” McVay said. “And so now you’re saying right, Leonard (Floyd), Von, you bring Hollins back into the mix, there’s a lot of excitement with some things that you can draw up in ways that you can utilize ways to get our best 11 football players on the field, specifically defensively. When he does come back, whenever that is at some point this season, we’ll definitely be able to find some creative ways to utilize his skillset in addition to those other guys that’ll be out there with him.”

Whenever the Rams acquired Hollins from the Denver Broncos a season ago, they knew they were getting a versatile linebacker. Hollins would play multiple positions for the Rams, but he spent most of his time rushing the passer off of the edge.

The third-year linebacker was off to a good start this season, accumulating two sacks in Week 1 versus the Chicago Bears. In Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Hollins suffered a pec injury that caused him to be placed on injured reserve.

The good news is that Hollins is going to return at some point this season, adding another layer to a defense that just acquired a premier edge defender in Miller. And with the Rams being deeper at edge rusher than inside linebacker, Hollins could see more time playing alongside Ernest Jones and Troy Reeder upon his return.