Rams S Kinchens (hamstring) DNP, S Curl (ankle) LP

Curl first joined the Rams in 2024 and has started all 33 games he has appeared in for them while forcing two interceptions, 14 pass breakups, and three fumbles. He also posted a career high with 122 tackles last season while adding two sacks. The veteran safety is now slated to be under contract with the Rams through 2028, shoring up a secondary for the foreseeable future that recently added Trent McDuffie to the mix. Curl earned a PFF coverage grade of 66.1 last season and did not allow a touchdown on any of the 58 targets that came his way.

Rams S Kamren Kinchens (shoulder) also did not practice. Both Young and Kinchens are starters and key contributors to the Rams defense, so losing both would leave the team short-handed against the Panthers in Week 13. They will need to log practice time in order to have a chance at playing on Sunday.

Curl left the Rams’ practice early with a lower leg issue while Forbes exited with a hamstring injury. Head coach Sean McVay indicated there would be more clarity on the defensive backs’ injuries later this week. Curl has started 69 of 76 career games, including each of his 16 games played in his first season with the Rams last year. An absence from him would dent the Rams’ secondary on the back end. Forbes played in two games for the Rams since arriving from Washington last season and is behind Ahkello Witherspoon and Darious Williams as depth at cornerback. Derion Kendrick and Cam Lampkin would see more opportunities if Forbes missed a part of training camp.

Johnson will be placed on injured reserve after suffering the injury in the Week 2 loss to the Cardinals. The safety was re-signed by the Rams over the summer, and was starting at free safety prior to the injury. Kamren Kinchens — the Rams third-round pick of 2024 — will likely see the reps there with Johnson out.

The injury occurred when a Lions offensive lineman delivered a hit to Rams S Kamren Curl, who was attempting to clog a rushing lane. Curl impacted Sewell’s lower leg laterally, causing Sewell to briefly writhe in pain after the play. Sewell toughed it out, never leaving the field. While Friday’s injury report will be helpful, the team could opt to rest him throughout the week as a precaution, before allowing the two-time defending Pro Bowler to suit up on Sunday.

Kinchens (5’11/202) made an immediate impact as a true freshman, starting 5-of-12 games with 44 tackles and four PBU while toggling between free safety and the slot on most of his 554 reps. In 2022 he logged 478 of his snaps either in the box or at FS, paring back his slot responsibilities and allowing Kinchens to free-range more to take advantage of his instincts and ball skills. Kinchens’s play soared as he recorded 59 tackles and 12 PBU to go with an ACC-leading six interceptions in addition to a fantastic 90th% PFF defensive grade that led that nation. With Kinchens being named First-Team All-ACC and First Team All-American, the sky was the limit heading into this season. Kinchens returned another solid effort, posting another 59 tackles, 10 PBU and five interceptions while being named First Team All-ACC for a second time. He missed a few games due to a scary collision that kept him from putting up the All-American caliber season he had the year prior, but he bounced back and was good to go for the Senior Bowl. A right hamstring ailment kept him from testing at the Combine, but when Kinchens hit the field at his Pro Day, he left much to be desired with a sluggish 4.65s 40-yard dash (37th%) and a 9.02” broad jump that ranked in the bottom 7th percentile of historical safety prospects. Throw in a 40th% 13 bench reps and Kinchens’ 2.43 RAS is a glaring red flag on his profile.

The deal is worth “up to” $13 million. A 2020 seventh-rounder still only 25 later this month, Curl was an every-down player for the majority of his rookie contract. He has quietly developed into one of the league’s better safeties, and he could still have room to grow in a Rams defense led by Aaron Donald that is always intelligently coached.

Curl has now missed two-straight games for the Commanders after popping up on the team’s injury report ahead of Week 16’s matchup against the 49ers. This leaves a glaring hole in Washington’s secondary that will be fighting for its playoff lives in Week 17 against the Browns.

In the midst of a big season, Curl is a big loss for the Commanders’ Christmas Eve road trip. Questionable today, he should have a good shot at returning on eight days rest for Week 17.

Curl popped up on the report with an ankle injury earlier this week and did not practice Thursday. We’d be a little surprised if he played based on how things are trending. Curl’s been excellent this season, notching an 80.3 PFF coverage grade. If he misses the game, the 49ers could exploit Washington safeties in coverage.