LA Rams OLB Terrell Lewis knee injury re-raises durability concerns

The LA Rams needed an elite pass rusher. Of course, Alabama edge rusher Terrell Lewis was such an elite pass rusher. While he was one of the best prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft, he arrived at the draft with a medical flag. So the first-round talent fell. Through round one. Through round two, where the LA Rams picked two players. But when he arrived at the 84th pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, his fall ended. The Rams called out his name. He would join the LA Rams.

It was a perfect match. The Rams had the greatest need at edge rusher of all the NFL teams, having just parted ways with both starters from 2019. And Lewis had the kind of potential in body size, strength, agility, and reach that immediately drew attention and sparked optimism.

Medically flagged

But he did fall, far past his draft position of late in round one. He was projected as an elite talent. Still, he had a medical flag in 2020, a year when medical flags were impossible to clear before the draft. You see, he tore his ACL in 2018. He hyperextended his knee in 2019. Two injuries in two successive years. Many NFL teams shied away from that pattern

Now, in 2020 the LA Rams promising rookie edge rusher’s health is once more in question. Once more, it’s his knee. Once more, the LA Rams have a knee issue to work through. So far, knee issues have not been kind to the team.

Rams + knee injury = ugh, here we go again

Perhaps on this occasion, the outcome will be different. Let’s hope so. The Rams need a bit of good news right now.

Sean McVay says the team is “working through tests” to see what a possible issue is with Terrell Lewis’ knee. Says he would rather wait to share more details until tests come back.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) September 2, 2020

Of course, the Rams have players who can absorb snaps at the position, for the time being. But if the Rams defense must compensate for the loss of A’Shawn Robinson, Travin Howard, and any extended period of time for Terrell Lewis, that’s a bit much to overcome.

For now, we can only wait for more news. But this does propagate the reputation of Terrell Lewis being injury-prone. Terrell Lewis is certainly a very gifted player. But can he remain healthy and uninjured? That will determine how successful he is this season.