The Rams received encouraging news about Nate Landman on Monday, but the scare exposed how quickly their thinnest defensive position could become a serious problem.
Landman injured his shoulder and thumb late in Los Angeles’ 27-7 season-opening loss to the 49ers. Sean McVay expects his defensive captain to play against the Giants next Monday night, although the team plans to limit him during the practice week.
That prognosis qualifies as a significant relief. Landman played 1,063 defensive snaps last season, compiling 132 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and an interception. More importantly, he is currently one of four available team captains on defense.
Replacing that combination of production, leadership and availability would not be simple.
The Rams already watched fellow starting inside linebacker Omar Speights leave the opener with a hip pointer. Speights returned, and McVay said he is making “positive gains,” but swelling remains.
Shaun Dolac was forced into action while Speights was sidelined.
Behind Landman and Speights, the depth chart offers considerably more projection than proof. Los Angeles has invested heavily along the defensive line and in its secondary, but inside linebacker remains an uncomfortable place to absorb injuries—particularly after Myles Garrett was lost to knee surgery.
Kam Curl’s ankle issue appears less concerning. McVay described it as soreness before declaring the safety “good.” Curl left the Week 1 game in the first quarter and returned in the fourth, playing a total of 30 snaps.
Nevertheless, Curl is not merely a conventional defensive back. He played 132 snaps as an off-ball linebacker last season and another 41 on the edge, almost entirely from box alignments.
He also worked from the slot, at both safety positions and occasionally outside.
That versatility is particularly important to the Rams’ dime package. Curl and Quentin Lake allow Shula to use six defensive backs without surrendering the size and physicality required against the run. Curl can cover, blitz or function as a linebacker while preserving the disguise.
His apparent availability makes the injury secondary to Landman’s, but any setback would remove another layer of protection from an already shallow linebacker room.
McVay characterized the updates as positive. Considering the alternatives available behind his defensive captain, the Rams should view Landman’s expected return as something closer to essential.
