The Arizona Cardinals will face another team this weekend missing its top cornerback. They benefitted on Sunday in their 27-13 win over the Seattle Seahawks when they were without three defensive starters, including No. 1 cornerback Shaquill Griffin. They will miss the Los Angeles Rams’ top corner in the season finale.
Cornerback Jalen Ramsey was ruled out by head coach Sean McVay on Tuesday with a knee injury.
“He had a Grade II strain on the LCL and he’ll be out for the game,” McVay said, according to Rams Wire. Ramsey, who is a free agent after the season, is not expected to need surgery, although the injury could take “between a month, month and a half” to heal on its own.
He injured it against the San Francisco 49ers but didn’t miss a snap. McVay said holding him out of the finale is “just being smart.” Ramsey showed his toughness by playing through it against the 49ers. The team doesn’t want to risk further injury.
It makes sense. They gave up a lot to acquire him via trade and want to sign him to a long-term deal. Greater injury to the knee would complicate things.
This way, he will be healthy once their offseason program begins.
What that means for the Cardinals is the Rams will have to use someone else to cover receiver Christian Kirk, who has drawn opponents’ top cornerbacks in recent weeks. McVay believes David Long will get playing time in Ramsey’s place.
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