Rams ILB Micah Kiser to Undergo Surgery on Injured Pec
By Sean Facey
The Los Angeles Rams just took a tough blow to their defensive depth.
Inside linebacker Micah Kiser is expected to undergo surgery on Tuesday on his injured left pectoral.
Rams ILB Micah Kiser has a left pec injury and will have surgery Tuesday. No timeline for his return, per a Rams official. Kiser was a projected starter.
— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) August 19, 2019
His injury stands out as yet another reason why preseason football games are a major concern for the players. Kiser was injured on Saturday during the Rams' 14-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Though there's no timetable for his return as of yet, it's safe to assume he won't be suiting up anytime soon.
Kiser was projected to be a starter for the Rams heading into the 2019 season. The fifth-round draft pick from 2018 appeared in all 16 games for Los Angeles in his rookie year, but he managed just four total tackles.
#Rams announced that Micah Kiser is out indefinitely with a left pectoral injury and he will undergo surgery on Tuesday.https://t.co/iFAKUAe3xQ pic.twitter.com/fjcwBelXsh
— Rams Nation (@RamsNationCom) August 19, 2019
His absence will likely lead to more playing time for four-year NFL veteran Bryce Hager. A former seventh-round pick of the Rams, Hager has appeared in 16 games in each of his seasons in the NFL. Last year, he registered 14 total tackles.
All in all, this certainly wasn't the news the Rams needed. Inside linebacker was already a rather week position for them outside of Corey Littleton, and Kiser going down only makes matters worse. Guys like Hager will need to step up on defense if they're going to defend their NFC title.