Micah

Kiser

The Raiders signed linebacker Curtis Bolton in a corresponding move. Kiser went down with an apparent leg injury on Sunday, though the exact details of the injury are still unknown. Kiser was a frequent contributor on special teams for the Broncos last year, logging 81 tackles while appearing in 10 games.

There hasn’t been an official update on Kiser, so the issue could be as minor as soreness or cramping. However, the fact that he was carted off likely means it is a serious injury. Kiser appeared in 10 games for the Broncos last year, mostly working on special teams. He totaled 81 tackles in that role.

Denver plucked Kiser off the Rams’ practice squad while dealing with a handful of linebacker injuries last year. He appeared in 10 games for the Broncos but got most of his run on special teams. Kiser will be competing for a rotational role in Las Vegas this summer.

The Broncos gave Kiser $600,000 guaranteed to jump over, replacing Josey Jewell, who is done for the season with a torn pec. Kiser knows the basics of coach Vic Fangio’s defense after playing for Brandon Staley in L.A. last season. Kiser started nine games for the Rams last season and appeared on 17 special teams snaps in Week 2.

Kiser will miss at least three games. It’s a key loss to the Rams linebacker corps as Kiser was the team’s leader in tackles. The Rams defense has played above expectations because their stars are playing like stars and they’ve found hidden gems like Kiser at all three levels. The Rams rank top-10 in many defensive categories.

The NFL’s current tackles leader, Kiser racked up 16 stops in the Week 2 win over the Eagles, adding a pass deflection and forced fumble to his stat sheet. Inside linebacker was a real question mark for the Rams when they lost Cory Littleton to the Raiders in free agency, but with Kiser finally healthy, he’s picked up the slack.

Kiser will have help, but the Rams lost a ton of talent at the linebacker spots in free agency, watching Littleton sign a lucrative deal with the Raiders and Dante Fowler join the Falcons. Kiser is pegged for one of the spots on the inside, but he missed all of last season with a torn pec and didn’t play a single defensive snap as a rookie. He’s never been on the field on defense since entering the NFL. It’s a tall ask. Expect the Rams to be active in the draft when it comes to linebacker help.

We can only assume Kiser suffered a torn pec, but that hasn’t yet been reported. Kiser was a fifth-round pick last year. He was expected to replace Mark Barron next to Cory Littleton this season after playing no defensive snaps as a rookie. The Rams have a trio of former seventh-rounders in Dakota Allen, Travin Howard, and Bryce Hager as options.

Kiser (6’0/238) was a three-year starter for the Cavs, graduating fifth in school history in tackles (411) and tallying 32.5 tackles for loss with 19 sacks and eight forced fumbles. PFF College noted Kiser was an especially efficient pass-rushing inside linebacker with 78 career QB pressures. Kiser earned first-team All-ACC three times and tested as a well-above-par 68th-percentile athlete in Indy, running 4.66. Kiser struggled in pass coverage and got overpowered at times on tape, but he will help on special teams at worst and can’t be counted out as a potential low-end starter down the line.