Latest injury update hints what Rams fans had feared about facing Falcons

The 11-4 Los Angeles Rams locked up a playoff berth by defeating the 8-8 Detroit Lions in Week 15. But by doing so, the team had a difficult choice: Should the team sacrifice the certainty of resting players for the postseason with the hope of securing the top seed? By a one-point loss in overtime to the 12-3 Seattle Seahawks in Week 16, that decision was made for the team.

Los Angeles would prioritize getting healthy.

The team is banged up. Los Angeles still shows starters on injured reserve, including safety Quentin Lake, cornerback Roger McCreary, tight end Tyler Higbee, and right tackle Rob Havenstein.

But the team lists wide receiver Davante Adams (hamstring) as doubtful, and right guard Kevin Dotson (ankle) and cornerback Josh Wallace (ankle) as out for Week 17 as well.

LA has even added left tackle Alaric Jackson (knee) and defensive lineman Braden Fiske (ankle) as questionable. While questionable is not the same as out, the stakes are such that the team could very likely choose to sit both players to ensure their health for the playoffs.

And that is what fans had feared in facing the Atlanta Falcons in Week 17.

More at stake for Rams than a mere win or loss in Week 17

The Week 17 game means more than a mere win or loss for Los Angeles. After trading with the Atlanta Falcons during the 2025 NFL Draft, LA owns Atlanta's first-round pick. And the order of that pick depends on the Falcons' win-loss record.

With a record of 6-9, that pick is projected as the 12th overall pick. At 8-9, the Falcons pick could project as late as the 15th or 16th overall selection. But with a record of 6-11, that pick could project as early as a Top 10 selection.

Los Angeles would love to have a top 10 selection in Day 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft. But in order to ensure an early selection, the team has to notch another loss on Atlanta's record. With a shrinking number of players projected to suit up for Week 17, fans' fears are coming to pass. LA may lose to Atlanta, and with that loss, get hit with a double whammy of a loss on the season and a drop in draft order.

The difference in value from a 10th overall selection to the 15th overall selection is an early selection in Round 3. Of course, trades only occur if two teams agree upon the exchange and the value received. But there is another way of looking at this scenario.

The draft board is unpredictable. But possessing an early selection offers more assurance of landing the best player for LA's roster. Teams abhor trading back too early, as general managers fear missing out on a true playmaker. That has prevented general manager Les Snead from trading up in each of the past three drafts.

Possessing an early selection prevents the team from automatically getting shut out. Either the team views multiple Round 1 picks as currency to trade even earlier, stands pat and elects to add the best player available, or trades back and pushes vital roster needs into the 2027 NFL Draft.

All three scenarios are easier to conduct with valuable picks in the vault.

Can a depleted Rams roster defeat the Falcons in Week 17? Oddsmakers think so. But this one is not as cut and dry as you may think. Atlanta has defeated some good teams this season. Still, LA has to draw a line in the sand somewhere.

This will be a good game, but the Horns should pull through.

As always, thanks for reading.