Sebastian Joseph Day injury history and updates

The LA Rams selected defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph Day with the 195th pick of the 2018 NFL Draft. At the time, the LA Rams were looking for better depth on the defensive line, and SJD was solid value still remaining available on the draft board.

Despite his height at 6-foot-4 and his weight of 310-pounds, he was relegated to the team’s practice squad for his rookie season. That was not wasted time, as he spent the season speaking to, observing, and learning from NFL veterans like Ndamukong Suh, Aaron Donald, and Michael Brockers. He was given the NFL equivalent to red-shirting.

Sebastian Joseph Day hails from the East Coast and was highly regarded throughout his high school and collegiate career. Check out the video below to get a bit more background information on the talented Rams nose tackle:

He would not be held off the football field for long. In 2019, the LA Rams were unable to extend Suh, who would sign on elsewhere. Instead, the Rams gave SJD a shot at the starting role, and have never looked back. Not only does Sebastian Joseph Day give the LA Rams a physical enough presence to withstand the physicality of the nose tackle role in a 3-4 defensive front, but he has the agility and length to run perfectly timed defensive stunts to assume a defensive end position.

He is durable, versatile, and dependable, continues to grow stronger, and exhibits better command of the position with each passing season. He is currently in the last year of his rookie contract, and will certainly attract a lot of interest in the upcoming 2022 NFL Free Agency market.

After all, in just seven games in the 2021 NFL Season, he has racked up 38 tackles, three tackles for a loss, five quarterback hits, and three quarterback sacks. And that was before the Rams added veteran outside linebacker Von Miller.

Sebastian Joseph Day injury history

Sebastian Joseph Day, Pectoral muscle injury, 2021

The LA Rams lost starting nose tackle Sebastian Joseph Day after the Week 7 contest against the Detroit Lions, and have been hoping for his timely return ever since.

In the video below, you have a chance to check out the training room regimen that rehabs a player through the healing process to get them back on the field and as productive as possible. SJD’s injury was initially tracked during the team’s contest with the Detroit Lions.

Curiously, the real damage to his muscle happened well after that game. In fact, he sat out Week 8 and appeared to be back on track to compete in Week 9 against the Tennessee Titans.  Unfortunately, lightning struck twice at the same spot. After he re-aggravated his injury in practice, the decision was made to have surgery.

The fact that SJD may be back was discussed at the 1:15 mark of the video below.

Of course, that is where it would have ended for now, if not for his cryptic Tweet

The most logical interpretation is that this was his way of hinting that he is returning to the team, perhaps as soon as the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs. If that happens, that would be both a productive and emotional boost to a defense that played perhaps its best game of the year in the Wildcard Round.

On Thursday, January 20, 2021, The LA Rams announced that NT Sebastian Joseph Day has been designated to Return from Injured Reserve

Will this be enough time to play in the Divisional Round against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? Stay tuned

With the promising news of a number of players possibly returning to play this week, LA Rams head coach Sean McVay squelched optimism by ruling out the return of Sebastian Joseph Day in time to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Should the Rams advance to the NFC Championship game, NT Sebastian Joseph Day may be able to participate in that game.

UPDATE:

The LA Rams are three days away from Super Bowl LVI, and for the first time, head coach Sean McVay has indicated that there is a ‘good chance’ that fans will see Sebastian Joseph-Day on the football field for the Rams. Of course, it’s Super Bowl LVI, so a good chance is almost a guarantee for his return.