Wednesday 11/2 – Friday 11/4 …Rams, Panthers injury report

Rams CB Trumaine Johnson working his way back quickly

Alden Gonzalez

http://www.espn.com/blog/los-angeles-rams/post/_/id/31498/rams-cb-trumaine-johnson-working-his-way-back-quickly

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — On Oct. 9, in the fourth quarter of an eventual loss to the Buffalo Bills, primary Los Angeles Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson sprained his right ankle on a play that could’ve wound up tearing his knee. Twenty-four days later, he was flying around the field in practice, at one point intercepting a pass from No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff and laughing as he jogged to the end zone.

Johnson was limited while working out with the team on Wednesday, but only because the Rams held him back.

“He wanted more,” coach Jeff Fisher said. “That’ll give you some idea.”

Johnson, barely more than three weeks removed from being fitted for a protective boot, has a realistic chance of playing in Sunday’s home game against the Carolina Panthers. His presence would be a major lift against Cam Newton, the reigning MVP, and his two 6-foot-5 targets, tight end Greg Olsen and wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin. Without Johnson, listed at 6-2 and 208 pounds, the Rams would start three corners — E.J. Gaines, Lamarcus Joyner and the inexperienced Troy Hill — who stand no taller than 5-10.

“His experience and size factor and the matchup factor,” Fisher said of what Johnson would provide if he is able to play. “They’ve got big receivers and they can run, and he’s tall and he can play the ball.”

Fisher went on to say that he was pleased by the play of his other three corners in the Week 7 loss to the New York Giants in London. But it’s difficult to duplicate Johnson’s production. He tied for the fourth-most interceptions in the NFL from 2013-15 with 13, then tied for the NFL lead with seven pass breakups — a stat that combines batted passes with passes defended — through the first five weeks this year.

He’s also a fast healer.

“Sometimes that type of injury can set you back a little bit longer,” Fisher said, “but he’s worked really hard.”