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theramswire.usatoday.com] Ernest Jones and Darrell Henderson Jr. nearing return, could start practicing this week
Skyler Carlin
January 19, 2022 6:12 am PT
The Los Angeles Rams are going to need all hands on deck to defeat Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Sunday’s divisional round matchup. Andrew Whitworth, Ben Skowronek, Brandon Powell, and David Long Jr. were all players that came away with injuries in Monday’s win over the Arizona Cardinals.
Barring the results of Whitworth’s MRI, all of them are expected to be active on Sunday versus the Buccaneers. As for guys like Ernest Jones and Darrell Henderson Jr., Sean McVay believes both of them are nearing a return for the Rams.
“Yeah, that is a possibility. Both, he and Darrell Henderson are potential guys that could return, or that we could start their clocks – whether that means they’re actually available this week or not is to be determined, but both of those guys are kind of in the same boat,” McVay said. “Ernest might be a little bit further ahead of Darrell, so that is a good thing on both of those guys.”
Jones has been out since Week 16 when he suffered an ankle injury against the Minnesota Vikings. The rookie linebacker logged 61 combined tackles and two interceptions this season but was placed on injured reserve with the Rams hoping he could return sometime in the postseason.
Once Jones is able to return, he should slide right back into the starting lineup. It’s unclear which linebacker, Travin Howard or Troy Reeder, would see less playing time, but given Jones’ skill set, Howard would likely have a decreased role.
Meanwhile, Henderson has also been out since Week 16 with an MCL injury. McVay made it clear that Henderson isn’t as close to returning as Jones, and with Sony Michel and Cam Akers handling the backfield workload, the Rams are in no rush to get Henderson back.
Sometimes the healthiest teams are the ones that are able to advance the furthest in the playoffs. And with the Buccaneers dealing with injuries of their own, getting Jones and Henderson back in time for Sunday’s contest would be a welcomed sight for the Rams.
