With Aaron Donald already out, Rams lose starting defensive lineman Dominique Easley to injury

By RICH HAMMOND

IRVINE — The Rams’ situation at defensive line, already tenuous because of the holdout of star Aaron Donald, took an ominous turn Tuesday when Dominique Easley had to be carted off the field.

Easley apparently hurt his knee during an 11-on-11 drill during training-camp practice at UC Irvine and never put weight on the leg. Easley needed help as he hobbled a couple steps to an electric cart, and both Coach Sean McVay and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips came over to check on him.

McVay said he didn’t have an update on Easley immediately after practice, but Easley was scheduled for an MRI on Tuesday evening. Easley suffered two ACL tears while in college, most recently in 2013. A team source on Tuesday called Easley’s previous knee issues “worrisome.”

The Rams already have been somewhat thin on the line, as Donald’s contract holdout reached its fourth day, and now the Rams could be without two of their three starting defensive linemen in coordinator Wade Phillips’ new 3-4 scheme.

Easley, signed as a free agent before the 2016 season, played all 16 games last season as a reserve and had 35 tackles, 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. Easley had been expected to move into a starting role this season after former end Robert Quinn moved to linebacker.

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