LOS ANGELES — The good news for the Rams is that linebacker Omar Speights is unlikely to wind up on injured reserve despite a high ankle sprain.
But the second-year run stopper is also unlikely to play this Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens (1-4) and running back Derrick Henry, which means the Rams (3-2) are spending the week sorting through which linebacker will stand beside Nate Landman this weekend.
The two primary options will be veteran Troy Reeder and undrafted rookie Shaun Dolac as the Rams’ coaching staff monitors them during practice.
“It’s just execution, guys playing hard, communicating,” defensive coordinator Chris Shula said. “You’re always kind of looking at that. We’re always rolling in guys.”
Dolac led all of college football in total tackles a year ago, but as a rookie he has played exclusively on special teams for the Rams. It’s not a job that he minds; even at Buffalo, he played extensively on special teams and prided himself on making an impact in that area of the game. So that has carried over to Sundays as he helps on both return units as well as kickoffs and punts.
In practices, Dolac has been playing on the scout team. But he caught Shula’s attention for being in the facility early watching tape, the type of attention to detail you would expect from an undrafted player trying to stick around with a team, as he was in training camp.
“You could tell pretty early that the game wasn’t too big for him,” Shula said. “You can almost talk to him like a coach, even as a real young player that obviously hasn’t played much yet. The game makes sense to him. You saw it in practice, you saw it in OTAs, how easy it was for him.”
As he waits to see if Speights’ injury means an opportunity on defense, Dolac is going to maintain the same approach that has served him well so far.
“My process isn’t changing at all. Throughout the first couple weeks I’ve developed a good process, watching game film, watching special teams, watching defense, watching offense of the opponents that we’re going up against. This week’s just going to be the same exact that I’ve been doing. I’m not going to change anything because I don’t need to. If I get that opportunity to play on defense, I’m going to be ready just by the preparation that I have.”
INJURY REPORT
Rams right tackle Rob Havenstein (ankle) was a non-participant in practice, his second straight missed practice since he was inactive for last Thursday’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Tight ends Tyler Higbee (hip) and Colby Parkinson (concussion protocol) were both limited participants in practice on Thursday. Higbee did not practice Wednesday. Landman was also limited for a second straight day with ankle soreness.
Wide receiver Tutu Atwell was added to the injury report Thursday with a hamstring injury that kept him limited in practice.
Safety Kamren Kinchens (knee) was a full participant on Thursday after being limited to start the week.