Final injury report vs. Bills gives Rams their most clarity in weeks

The Los Angeles Rams have approached every game this season with the status of multiple key players in question. Ahead of Monday's game against the Buffalo Bills, the final official injury report is the clearest fans have had all year. 

In fact, it's pretty much all good news. Aaron Donald, good to go. Jaylen Watson, no designation. That's big. Colby Parkinson, ready to roll. 

Edge rusher Josaiah Stewart had been dealing with a groin issue, but no status tag for him, either. Same for special-teams linebacker Grant Stuard, who popped up on the injury report with a hamstring issue during the week. 

The only question mark is safety Quentin Lake, who head coach Sean McVay confirmed would be questionable with a hip injury. And even then, Lake "is trending in the right direction" and his status overall "is a positive," McVay said.

Rams starters cleared for action ahead of crucial Week 5 test

Not included on the injury report, of course, are any Rams listed on IR. Headlined by edge rusher Myles Garrett, that group also features tight end Terrance Ferguson and rookie offensive lineman Keagen Trost. 

But those are known absences; nearing the weekend, Rams fans didn't know who else they might not see come kickoff on Monday night.

Donald sat out last game with back soreness and Watson hasn't played since the first half of Week 3, when he dislocated his shoulder against the Broncos. Parkinson missed Week 4 as he manages knee and shoulder injuries. Linebacker Nate Landman was a DNP Thursday (shoulder).

Now it's only Lake, and it sounds like he's more likely to play than not. The Rams will need all hands on deck for what should be their toughest (stateside) task yet in hosting Josh Allen and the Bills, who should come in angry after blowing a home game against the Patriots on a late Allen interception. 

All three levels of a defense must contribute to keep Allen in check. Landman is struggling this year, but having his solid being in the middle of the field, the Rams' green-dot communicator from sideline to teammates, will help. 

The defensive front will have to bring the heat to keep Allen uncomfortable in the pocket. He hasn't been his best of late, throwing one touchdown to three picks in his last two games, and the Rams don't want to host his get-right game. 

Watson's return would be huge for the secondary; despite his early struggles in coverage this season, his importance to the group manifested immediately when he left the game in Denver. Trent McDuffie can only do so much by himself. The Rams brought them both in for a reason. 

Lake, then, is the final piece of the puzzle. He and McDuffie have been among LA's best players, let alone defenders, so far. Lake helps in all phases, all over the field. The Rams need him healthy. 

The good news is that the rest of his teammates will be, and McVay gives Lake a good shot to join them come Monday.

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