LA Rams: Hollins to IR, best free agent OLBs to keep an eye on

The LA Rams sat and did not react when the injury bug began to peck away at the running backs on the roster. Eventually, the LA Rams lost Cam Akers, Xavier Jones, and Raymond Calais to injury. Finally, the Rams pulled the trigger on a trade with the New England Patriots for veteran running back Sony Michel. Was it too reactionary, considering the Rams still had veteran running back Darrell Henderson?

No, it was not. Sony Michel started for the LA Rams in Week 3.

Likewise, the LA Rams have been dancing around disaster at the outside linebacker position. The Rams have been dealing with injuries there as well. In fact, all five of the Rams outside linebackers have been dealing with injuries in just the first three weeks of the 2021 NFL season.

Veteran Leonard Floyd has been playing despite an ankle injury suffered in Week 2. Justin Hollins suffered a pectoral muscle injury in Week 3, and his status remains unknown. Ogbonnia Okoronkwo began the season on injured reserve with a shoulder stinger, and he is only now eligible to return to the active roster. Terrell Lewis has been fighting off a nagging knee issue for the past two seasons. And even Justin Lawler, off the practice squad, has suffered a broken hand.

Not one player has remained unscathed, and the LA Rams have 14 games to go in the 2021 NFL season. That being said, it would make perfect sense for the Rams to generate a shortlist of free agents who could come in and contribute in a rotational role for this defense now.

No, I’m not talking about a guy who will put up 15 sacks and 75 tackles. Simply a veteran who can give quality snaps in a rotational role. A veteran who understands that playing in this LA Rams defense this year could mean playing in the NFL Championship game as well as a renewed interest by other NFL teams to sign him up for 2022. Who might that be? So glad you asked.