The Associated Press
(Updated at 11 a.m. Wednesday) IRVINE, Calif. — Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Dominique Easley left practice early at training camp due to an injury.
The Rams didn’t know the extent of the injury after practice Tuesday night, but Easley left the UC Irvine field on a cart with an apparent knee injury.
An MRI confirmed Easley tore his ACL and is out for the season, a source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter earlier Wednesday.
Easley, 25, tore a ligament in each of his knees during his college career at Florida, and he ended two seasons on injured reserve with New England before he joined the Rams last year. After excelling as a backup last season, he was likely to be a starter this year.
The Rams already are without All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who declined to report to training camp while negotiating a new contract.
Rams coach Sean McVay described the situations regarding Donald and Easley as “very concerning” but said other players would step up.
“Those are two very important players for us,” McVay said. “We’d love for Aaron to be here and we’d love for Dominique to get a good report where he’s healthy.
“But if that’s not the situation, we have to be ready to react accordingly.”
McVay had praised Easley for his work in Donald’s absence.
The Rams signed Easley before last season and he provided mostly solid play, playing in every game and recording 31/2 sacks.
He was a restricted free agent and signed a one-year, original-round tender to remain with the Rams. He is scheduled to earn about $1.8 million.
Easley was listed as a projected starter in the team’s training camp media release.
