Los Angeles Rams cornerback Trent McDuffie has missed his second consecutive practice, fueling concerns about his availability for the team's pivotal Week 9 matchup against the Washington Commanders.
McDuffie's absence follows a knee to the back he sustained during the Rams' 24-9 victory over the Chargers on Sunday. Initially, the injury was downplayed, with coach Sean McVay expressing optimism on Monday, stating McDuffie "came in feeling better than maybe what we expected." McDuffie himself echoed this sentiment, saying his back was "feeling OK" and that he was taking it "one day at a time."
However, by Thursday, the situation appeared more serious. McDuffie was not present at the Rams' facility on Wednesday and was only briefly seen on Thursday, moving slowly and gingerly. Sources indicate he has been receiving daily treatment and is still expected to be available on Sunday, but his continued absence from practice is a departure from his usual presence.
This development is particularly concerning for the Rams' secondary, which is already depleted by the season-ending injury to fellow cornerback Jaylen Watson. McDuffie, an All-Pro, is a critical component of the defensive unit.
McDuffie has a history of missing games due to injury, having previously sat out contests against the Cardinals and Raiders with a groin issue. Coach McVay is expected to provide an official game designation for McDuffie on Friday. As the Rams aim to improve their standing in the NFC playoff picture, another significant defensive injury would be a considerable setback.