Braden

Fiske

Ferguson is inactive with the Rams getting Parkinson back from a shoulder injury. Braden Fiske is also active after being considered questionable with an oblique issue.

Fiske missed the first two practices of the week but returned for a limited session on Friday before being listed as questionable. Fiske has had a quiet start to his second NFL season with no sacks or TFLs through two weeks, but he does have a fumble recovery. The Rams are 2-0 with the fewest points allowed this season. The counting stats will come sooner rather than later for Fiske, assuming this oblique injury doesn’t persist.

Rams head coach Sean McVay was unable to share details beyond saying the Rams “hope that he ends up being OK.” We hope so too. The Rams’ D/ST unit is far more potent with the defending Defensive Rookie of the Year on the field.

Fiske, who finished third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting last season, injured his knee in the team’s Divisional Round loss to the Eagles and underwent a minor procedure to correct the issue this offseason. His availability for the start of the 2025 season was never considered to be in doubt, but his full participation in OTAs relieve any doubt for the standout youngster. “I’m ready to roll,” Fiske told reporters.

Verse was named the winner of the award after receiving 37 of the 50 first-place votes. The 24-year-old was a force for the Los Angeles defense in 2024 while picking up 4.5 sacks and forcing four fumbles. He led all edge players in Pro Football Focus’ charting with 66 hurries while helping the Rams to a division title. Quinyon Mitchell finished second with nine first-place votes, and Verse’s teammate Braden Fiske finished third.

Fiske suffered his knee injury in the Rams’ divisional round loss to the Eagles. According to Rams beat writer Stu Jackson, Fiske’s injury won’t impact his availability for the start of next season, which is great news for the 2024 rookie second-round rounder. Fiske totaled 8.5 sacks and 10 TFLs this season and will enter next year with high expectations following a strong rookie campaign.

We don’t know the specifics of Fiske’s injury, but the stud rookie exited in the first quarter after sacking Jalen Hurts and never returned to the field. Fiske totaled 8.5 sacks and 10 TFLs during the regular season and has been a key player along the Rams’ defensive front.

It’s hard to know what happened here. Fiske made a drive-ending sack of Jalen Hurts midway through the first quarter and immediately limped his way off the field. He was ruled as questionable to return shortly after, so we’ll see where things go from here.

Fiske (6’4/292) is a more seasoned prospect who spent his first five years at Western Michigan, earning Second Team All-MAC honors with 59 tackles, 12.0 TFL and 6.0 sacks in 2022 before taking advantage of his extra year of eligibility and transferring to Florida State for his collegiate swan song. He made a seamless transition to the Power Five by recording 26 stops, 28 pressures and 6.0 sacks in 444 snaps, playing a vital role in Florida State’s undefeated regular season. The Third-Team AP All-American lined up primarily at three tech where he explodes off the ball like a compact ball of energy and doesn’t stop coming until the whistle blows. Fiske’s relentless play-style stood out at the Senior Bowl where he ripped through some of the top offensive linemen in the 2024 class. He continued a scorching pre-draft evaluation process at the Combine when he ran a 4.78s 40-yard dash (99th%) that was .07 faster than any other DT. As if that weren’t enough, Fiske led all defensive linemen in vertical jump (33.5”), broad (9’09”) and shuttle run (4.37s) for a superb 9.89 RAS. Fiske has a thick, well-rounded frame that’s a little light at 292 pounds, but what he lacks in size he makes up for with elite get-off and acceleration.