MRI confirms torn ACL for Dominique Easley, who will miss 2017 season
— -- An MRI confirmed that? Los Angeles Rams?defensive tackle Dominique Easley tore his ACL, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Easley, a former first-round pick who was projected to be a starter, is out for the season, the source said.
Easley tore his knee during an 11-on-11 drill on Tuesday during the Rams' first padded practice of training camp. His injury comes in the midst of Aaron Donald's holdout, cutting into the Rams' depth even further.
Easley, 25, has now suffered three torn ACLs in a span of seven years. He tore the ACL in each of his knees while at Florida, prompting him to drop to No. 29 overall in the 2014 draft, then he finished the 2014 and 2015 seasons with the Patriots on injured reserve, first with an injured knee and then with an injured thigh.
The Rams picked up Easley after he was released in April 2016 and watched him turn in a productive season as a key backup. Easley played in all 16 games, recording a career-high 3.5 sacks and forcing two fumbles. Pro Football Focus graded him 30th among 125 qualified interior defenders.
The Rams brought Easley back with an original-round tender and were impressed with his play during the offseason program and at training camp. With William Hayes?now in Miami, and Robert Quinn transitioning to outside linebacker in a 3-4 system, Easley was set to start on a defensive line that included? Michael Brockers.
The Rams are expecting to have Donald back at some point, though they are still unsure when he will report. They'll keep an eye on defensive linemen during final cuts -- as well as running back, with Lance Dunbar's knee keeping him out indefinitely -- but must try to fill the void internally for now.
Ethan Westbrooks, Mike Purcell, Tanzel Smart and Louis Trinca-Pasat are among those who will get longer looks in the meantime.
"We've got guys who need to be ready to step up," Rams coach Sean McVay said after Wednesday's practice. "That's why you've got a 90-man roster right now -- it gives guys the opportunity in their absence."
ESPN's Alden Gonzalez contributed to this report.
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