Quentin

Lake

The Rams will have their lynchpin defensive back on the field this weekend. He sat out Wednesday’s practice before practicing fully on Thursday and Friday. Lake is up to eight pass breakups, one interception, one forced fumble, 54 tackles and one sack.

Rams head coach Sean McVay told reporters that keeping Young sidelined thus far is a precautionary measure. The Rams’ sack leader (13) is still expected to play. Young ranks second on the team in quarterback pressures (74) and fifth in tackles (56). Rams S Quentin Lake (illness) resumed practicing fully today.

Young tallied five combined tackles in the Rams’ Divisional Round win over the Bears. He starts out this week not practicing due to a knee injury he has been managing for a good chunk of this season. Also not practicing was DB Quentin Lake (illness). Practice reports later in the week will provide more clarity, but both Young and Lake look to be playing in the Championship game against the Seahawks.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Lake will take home $25.7 million in guarantees. Lake had a career-best 72.9 PFF coverage grade playing mostly out of the slot this year. He has been out since Week 11’s game against the Seahawks with an elbow injury, and not-too-coincidentally, the Rams defense has struggled without him. He’s supposed to have a chance to return in Week 18 after being designated to return, but even if he doesn’t, looks likely to be back on the field for the playoffs.

McCreary was acquired by the Rams in October, but has been sidelined on injured reserve due to a hip injury. The Rams designated him to return to practice, opening his 21-day window to be activated. Head coach Sean McVay also added that DB Quentin Lake’s practice window will likely be activated next week. McCreary and Lake will add reinforcements to the Rams secondary heading into the playoffs.

The Rams’ right tackle has dealt with a high-ankle sprain for much of the season. Hopefully, this move allows him the time needed to fully rehab the injury. The Rams also officially placed S Quentin Lake on injured reserve after undergoing surgery to correct the dislocated elbow injury he suffered in Week 11.

Lake will presumably be placed on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least four weeks. Lake was having a breakout year before going down with the injury. He had 10 pass breakups, one interception, and one sack in 10 games, all of which were starts. Losing him will be a short-term blow to LA’s defense, but the good news is that it doesn’t sound like a season-ending injury.

The Rams are having testing done on Lake’s elbow and have said it’s possible that he’ll be placed on injured reserve. Sean McVay said he was “bummed out for him,” which seems to forecast a significant injury. Lake played 32 snaps in Week 11’s win over the Seahawks, with Jaylen McCollough and Josh Wallace getting extra work after he left.

Lake primarily lines up over the slot, but he has notably logged 89 combined defensive snaps lining up on the defensive line, in the box and at free safety this season. He boasts team highs in pass breakups (six ) and TFLs (five), ranks third on the team in tackles (25) and ties for seventh in quarterback pressures (four). The 2022 sixth-round pick should get a healthy pay bump, be it from the Rams or another team, this offseason.

Lake (6'1"/201) had a team-high six pass breakups, three interceptions, was selected to the second-team All-Pac-12, and invited to East-West Shrine Game in 2021. He didn’t do much at the Combine, including no team interviews due to getting held up at medical checks for over an hour. He did run a 4.59 40, which was last among safeties. You have to look at his game tape to get the true scope of how he is as a player. Primarily playing as a safety, he can be moved around enough and take on different roles in various defensive schemes, including playing high as a shadow or on the line in press coverage. He’s an exceptional tackler and rarely misses or allows the ball carrier to fight for extra yards. He has a ton of experience on special teams, which could allow him to stick.