First-team competitive periods will look a bit different in Rams training camp this year, because they’ll be missing one major presence: Cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who is always game to challenge his teammates in scrimmages and red zone periods, is still recovering from mid-summer shoulder surgery.

Ramsey, who had the June procedure to repair one of two AC joint injuries he played through during much of the 2021 season, is expected to return ahead of the Rams’ season-opener against Buffalo, a source said at the time of the surgery. Players can, and in many cases do, opt for a non-surgical recovery for this particular injury (and Ramsey did so for one of his shoulder injuries). Ramsey’s rehabilitation appears to be on schedule, but it also means he’ll miss on-field work through training camp as players report to Irvine, Calif., over the weekend.

Meanwhile, there are many new faces within the defensive backs room — where a trio of players will compete for the No. 2 cornerback spot, others will become depth at the Star position and a front-loaded safeties room may explore new schematic wrinkles.

Additions, cornerback: Troy Hill (free agency), Cobie Durant, Derion Kendrick, Duron Lowe, Caesar Dancy-Williams, TJ Carter.

Subtractions, cornerback: Darious Williams.

Depth chart: Jalen Ramsey, Troy Hill (also can play Star), David Long (also can play Star), Robert Rochell, Cobie Durant (slot/Star), Derion Kendrick, Grant Haley, Duron Lowe, Caesar Dancy-Williams, TJ Carter.

While Ramsey recovers, Hill, Long and Rochell will take on prominent roles in training camp. When the season begins, one of these players will see diminished snaps upon Ramsey’s return — so even as they contribute in camp, they’re competing. Kendrick is a sleeper for more playing time, whether this season or next. Durant has been projected as a slot player but some staff members noted during the draft how impressed they were with him on the outside, so his role will be an interesting study.

Additions, safety: Quentin Lake, Russ Yeast, Jairon McVea, Dan Isom.

Subtractions, safety: JuJu Hughes (claimed off waivers by Lions)

Depth chart: Jordan Fuller, Nick Scott, Taylor Rapp, Terrell Burgess, Quentin Lake, Russ Yeast, Jairon McVea, Dan Isom.

Lake may very well get more playing time than his spot here suggests, but he mostly worked on the side during spring practices so it’s tough to project his role at the moment. Yeast will be an interesting player to watch over the next few years because he can also return kickoffs and punts.

Scott and Rapp are both in contract years. Scott, who has developed over the years from special-teamer to a playmaker who started in the postseason (Rapp, who usually starts next to Fuller, was recovering from a concussion but did return to play in the Super Bowl), could see his role continue to expand in 2022. Rapp and Scott both have the ability to crash closer to the box if the Rams decide to implement more three-safety looks out of their “base” two-high.

2022 outlook: The Rams have a wealth of talented safeties, like to play in sub packages for the majority of defensive snaps and will only carry a couple of inside linebackers. To me, all of that might point to deploying more three-safety looks when in extra defensive backs packages or hybrid extra-linebackers packages this season (while still maintaining the coverage shells they installed in 2020, of course). Their overall coverage plan won’t change, but as we’ve seen in the past, the manner in which they utilize their personnel will probably continue to evolve depending on where they are strongest. Still, we won’t know much until they actually begin on-field work in training camp next week.

Long-term outlook: The Rams loaded up on defensive backs in the draft and in undrafted free agency, not because of any concern about current starters but because they have a large number of contracts expiring in the next couple of years and they need more players for special teams without either of their starting inside linebackers (and perhaps even their safeties) contributing there. They don’t usually extend defensive backs on large deals (outside of the currently existing Ramsey contract) and count on rising young players to contribute early. It’s a big year for several Rams players contractually, but the younger group has to develop on time, too.