LA Rams Jalen Ramsey shoulders healing in time for 2022 season

The performance of LA Rams defensive back Jalen Ramsey in the 2021 NFL season seemed a bit off. Sure, there was that egregious face mask by Cincinnati Bengals WR Tee Higgins that was never called, leading to a 75-yard touchdown after Ramsey was thrown to the ground. But I’m talking about the overall performance. That bit of can’t-quite-put-my-finger on it, the less-than-optimal play which left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth.

Or worse yet, the fear that Ramsey had plateaued.

But the true reason behind the less than optimal performance from LA Rams All-Pro defensive back Jalen Ramsey is that he was playing with two bad shoulders.  Much like the news of outside linebacker Leonard Floyd playing on a bad ankle, Ramsey played with two bad shoulders throughout most of the 2021 season.

Both shoulders? Wow.

Thankfully, he had corrective surgery to repair the damage in one of his shoulders today, June 22, 2022.

While Jalen Ramsey had another All-Pro season, there were occasions on the football field where he simply did not appear to be himself. Whether it was a completed pass to a receiver or a tackle that did not halt the ball carrier dead in his tracks, Ramsey had moments in the season where he appeared to be more mortal than usual.

Injured or not, another All-Pro season

Despite injuries, Ramsey’s performance was notable. He tied his career-high interceptions season total of four picks, and his 77 tackles in one season were his best ever. He even broke up 16 passes, which fell just one short of his all-time best.

It was clear early in the 2021 season that part of the Rams’ defensive strategy was involving Ramsey in the defense of virtually 100 percent of the football field. In some cases, Ramsey was moved to the slot to defend routes over the middle of the defense.

The arrival of inside linebacker Bobby Wagner will not only help defend the middle of the football field but will free up Ramsey to resume a more conventional defensive back role of covering wide receivers.

With two repaired shoulders, Ramsey’s return to elite play should be a much easier task to accomplish in 2022. Two key contributors in 2021 played hurt nearly the entire season.