When Rams safety Quentin Lake underwent elbow surgery on Nov. 19, the hope was he’d be ready to come off injured reserve in time for the postseason. With the 11-4 Rams having clinched a spot since then, it appears Lake is on track for a playoff return.
Rams head coach Sean McVay said the team will “most likely” open Lake’s 21-day practice window next week (via Sarah Barshop of ESPN). Lake is “making great progress,” per McVay, who hasn’t ruled the defender out for the Rams’ Week 18 regular-season finale against the Cardinals.
Lake, a fourth-year man, emerged as a full-time starter in 2024. After totaling 111 tackles, five passes defensed and two sacks last year, he returned to start in his first 10 games this season.
Lake has notched 61 tackles, a sack, a personal-best 10 passes defensed and the first interception of his career in 2025. He played 100% of defensive snaps before dislocating his elbow. The vast majority of the versatile Lake’s 634 snaps have come in the slot (424), but he has also worked in the box (89), at free safety (84), and along the edge (32).
Set to face Atlanta on Monday, Los Angeles will go without Lake – Pro Football Focus‘ 12th-ranked safety among 99 qualifiers – for a sixth straight game. Josh Wallace has played well in the slot in Lake’s absence, but the latter has still been missed. The Rams’ defense ranked third in the NFL in both EPA per play on dropbacks and against the run when Lake went down. The unit is a much less effective 11th and 20th in those categories without him, Adam Grosbard of the Orange County Register notes.
Regardless of whether Lake comes back over the next two weeks, the Rams should be able to run the table through the regular season. While the Rams dropped to sixth in the NFC with a Week 16 loss to the division rival Seahawks, now the top seed, the No. 1 spot remains a possibility if they win out and get some help. Securing first place would lead to a bye and give Lake more time to heal. Otherwise, should the Rams play in the wild-card round, it appears they’ll have Lake back by then.