tight end Tyler Higbee is set to return Sunday for the season finale against the Arizona Cardinals.
Safety Quentin Lake will return to the playoffs. Star receiver Davante Adams It would also be possible to hold out until then.
Ramscoming off in a row loss to the Seattle Seahawks And Atlanta Falconslooks to be heading for its seventh postseason appearance in nine seasons under coach Sean McVay.
But the team many considered to be the class of the league at midseason should be at or near full strength when they play the NFC wild card game next weekend.
“We're getting better at the right time,” McVay said Friday.
Lake agreed.
“The league and the world knew where we were when we were at full strength,” Lake said. “We’re bringing guys back at the right time, and I feel like we’re going to have success at the right time.”
The Rams, once the No. 1 seed in the NFC, are now ranked sixth.
If the San Francisco 49ers lose to the Seattle Seahawks on Saturdayand the Rams defeat the Cardinals on Sunday at Sophie Stadium, the Rams will move up to fifth.
However, McVay confirmed Friday that the starting lineup will play against the Cardinals, although how much remains to be seen.
Several starters are questionable with injuries, including running backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum with ankle injuries and left tackle Alaric Jackson with a knee injury that kept him out of last Monday's loss to the Falcons.
Right guard Kevin Dotson, who also sat out against the Falcons with an ankle injury, will not play Sunday and his status in the wild card round remains uncertain.
The Rams will also make a decision on veteran right tackle Rob Havenstein at some point. The 11-year pro has been on injured reserve since mid-November. Warren McClendon Jr. played well in his place, but Havenstein would give McVay flexibility if Jackson were injured and McClendon moved to left wing.
The Rams' 27-24 loss to the Falcons wasn't all about injuries, but the holes left by the absence of starters were obvious and, in some cases, glaring.
Veteran tackle DJ Humphries wrestled in Jackson's place, and guard Justin Dedich is not as big or strong as Dotson. Falcons running back Bijan Robinson ran roughshod through a defense that was missing Lake.
Rams offensive tackle Alaric Jackson (right) blocks Detroit Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson during the Rams' win on Dec. 14.
(Harry Howe/Getty Images)
“There's a reason the guys we missed are starters,” McVay said, speaking generally, “because they give us the best chance to play at our optimal level.”
The Rams' tight ends have played well during Higbee's absence, but McVay and cornerback Matthew Stafford are eagerly awaiting the 10-year pro's return.
Higbee caught 20 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns in nine games before being injured in a win over the Seahawks on Nov. 16.
He's looking forward to getting back into action on game day.
“Just try to be myself, bring the energy, bring the physicality and try to make some plays when it’s my turn,” Higbee said.
Stafford made smart use of Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen and Terrence Ferguson. Now he said he would welcome the return of Higbee, the “ultimate team player” who helps bring teammates together.
“Everyone calls him the glue guy,” Stafford said, “probably an understatement.”
Lake, the team's captain, also brings more than just talent to the field, something the Rams officially acknowledged this week when awarded him a three-year extension including over $25 million in guarantees.
Lake was sidelined with a left elbow injury that required surgery. He started training this week and said he will be ready for the playoffs.
“The doctor was saying, 'You came back pretty quickly, but if you feel good and you have all your strength and range of motion, go ahead and cut it off.'
“That's exactly what I'm going to do.”
Adams has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury, but he still leads the NFL with 14 touchdown catches.
Adams was limited in practice this week.
“We want to make sure we have everything ready to go and be smart with him because of the position he plays and the stress that the hamstring puts on some of the different things we activate with him,” McVay said.
Star receiver Puka Nacua is one of those excited to see Higbee, Lake and Adams back on the practice field.
“It’s great to see all these guys,” he said. “I would say their presence is definitely missed.”
