Dominique

Easley

Easley’s operation was previously termed as some sort of clean-up procedure. Injured reserve will cost him eight games. Playing roughly half of the Rams’ snaps so far this season, Easley missed all of 2017 with a torn ACL.

Easley missed all last year to ACL surgery. It’s concerning he’s having knee issues after spending most of training camp on the PUP list. Easley started the first three games before sitting out Thursday night’s win. He’s a candidate for injured reserve.

It’s a no-risk, high-reward deal for the Rams. The $600K is the league minimum for third-year players, and should Easley not hold up, the Rams can release him with no salary-cap penalty. The former first-rounder’s knees are allegedly in bad shape, but Easley has always been highly effective when on the field.

Other teams can still sign Easley, but it would cost them a first-round pick. Easley never panned out in New England but turned in a decent season for the Rams in 2016 by setting career-highs in sacks (3.5), tackles (35) and forced fumbles (two). He turns 25 next month.

The deadline to sign offer sheets with other teams had come and gone, so Easley had nothing to gain by waiting any longer. Easley had a strong season as a situational lineman in 2016, notching 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles on 470 snaps. The 2014 first-rounder could end up a decent find for a team lacking both high-end talent and depth.

The Falcons spoke with Easley last month but it’s unclear if he worked out for them. Easley has faced a quiet market since getting waived by New England on April 13. It’s still unclear why the Pats let Easley go, though off-field issues and a history of injuries are thought to be the culprit.

It’s Easley’s first-known visit since he was surprisingly waived by the Patriots last month. Easley was an effective role player on the interior last season, but apparently his knees are in awful shape. Easley hasn’t had any off-the-field issues surface since he was cut loose. If he can convince the Rams he’ll be healthy for at least 2016, he’d be a worthy flier.

Easley also worked out for the Bengals before signing. The 2014 first-round pick has a history of knee injuries but has played effectively when healthy. Still just 24, Easley gives Los Angeles depth at defensive tackle behind All-Pro Aaron Donald and run-stopper Michael Brockers.

The Rams can’t afford to lose Easley. He’s one of the lone members of the defense with experience in the new 3-4 front DC Wade Phillips is implementing, and Easley is coming off a fine 2016 season as an interior pass rusher. Along with Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers, Easley is being counted on to play heavy snaps.

He’s headed for an MRI, but a team source told Rapoport that it is “not looking good.” It’ll be a big blow for the Rams defense if Easley indeed is set to miss a significant amount of time. Cast off in New England, Easley has resurrected his career for the Rams and was an underrated player up front for them last season. The Rams are scary-thin on the second team at every level of the defense.