THOUSAND OAKS — The Rams had to give linebacker Ernest Jones an extra Sunday off. The team captain had been playing through a knee injury for several weeks, and with the bye looming, the Rams opted to sit Jones the game prior against the Green Bay Packers.
Jones’ knee got two weeks of rest, and two games later, the third-year linebacker is feeling refreshed as the Rams prepare to face the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
“This was one of the better weeks that I’ve had in a while,” Jones said. “So excited about this game and going forward.”
Jones began to feel the discomfort in his knee in the Rams’ first game against the Cardinals in Week 6, and it continued to bother him for the next two games. It was limiting his change of direction, and he was afraid of someone making contact with the knee due to the pain it was already causing him.
“Wasn’t just playing confident anymore. I was just trying to play through it for the team and wasn’t able to go out there and put my best foot forward,” Jones said. “So they were able to pull me.”
It was frustrating timing, given Jones felt like his Week 5 performance against the Philadelphia Eagles – in which he had 12 solo tackles and four quarterback hurries – to be among the best games in his career.
But Jones’ range of motion is back. He’s contributed to 14 tackles the past two weeks, and is feeling back to his normal self as the Rams (5-6) begin to make a playoff push.
“Now it’s really being able to maintain that,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said. “He plays so many snaps, the style of play in which he plays this game, you got to be able to continue to have a maintenance plan for your body.”
Hoecht expected to play
Outside linebacker Michael Hoecht (knee) did not practice Thursday after being a limited participant Wednesday. While the Rams are listing him as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Browns, McVay said he expects Hoecht to play.
While rookie Ochaun Mathis and Keir Thomas would be in line for more snaps if Hoecht is unable to go, McVay added, “There’s no reason for us to think that he wouldn’t be able to go. We’re just erring on the side of caution because he played so many snaps.”
Briefly
Browns backup quarterback and former UCLA standout Dorian Thompson-Robinson was ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Rams with a concussion Friday. With starter Deshaun Watson’s season already over with a shoulder injury, the Browns will turn to veteran Joe Flacco, whom they signed to their practice squad last week.
