The Los Angeles Rams dealt with their fair share of key injuries throughout the course of the 2019 NFL season.
Young safety John Johnson III had been poised for another breakout year until he was sidelined with a shoulder injury for most of the season. Meanwhile, offensive linemen Joe Noteboom and Brian Allen also had their seasons cut short after landing on injured reserve.
Losing three starters so early in the year clearly had a major impact on the Rams’ overall performance. Fortunately, it seems they have made tremendous strides in their recoveries.
Rams head coach Sean McVay provided a positive update on the young trio, via Stu Jackson of the team’s official website:
“They’re feeling good,” McVay said at the NFL Scouting Combine. “They’re making good progress.”
McVay added that he fully expects them to be back for the 2020 NFL season, which is still a ways away:
“Each of those injuries is a little bit different, but they’re on track to being ready to go for the season,” McVay said. “What it does look like, for how we utilize them in the offseason program, I think, is to be determined.”
McVay’s comments indicate that while they are slated for a healthy return, their responsibilities could be different this time around. After all, the Rams have ushered in some major changes to their coaching staff this offseason so some adjustments are to be expected.
Johnson was in the midst of a stellar 2019 campaign with 50 tackles and two interceptions in six games before the injury. Although he has made his bones as a strong safety, his absence allowed rookie safety Taylor Rapp to take over alongside free safety Eric Weddle. With Weddle now retired, it will be interesting to see which of the two moves over to his spot in the starting lineup.
Noteboom had his season end in the same game Johnson did after suffering a torn ACL and MCL. It is safe to say that the timetable for his recovery could be more extensive than the others given the severity of his injury.
Allen went down in Week 10 with an MCL injury after taking over as the center for this group. Although going down so late in the year certainly did not do him or the Rams any favors, it appears he is still on track to get another shot at resuming his role upfront.
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