Cornerback Aqib Talib appears to have cleared another hurdle on his path to returning, as head coach Sean McVay said on Thursday that Talib appears on track to be able to play against the Lions.
"I think the anticipation is we'd like that to be able to happen," McVay said. "What does that mean in terms of snap count, what exactly that role is — really, it is something that we're going to continue to evaluate based on the way that his ankle responds. If things go the way we anticipate, we hope, and what we expect, then I think you can expect to see him play. How much will be determined as the week progresses."
Because Los Angeles altered its practice schedule due to the rain in the forecast, Talib went through a full session on Wednesday, and McVay seemed pleased with how the corner looked.
"He did a good job. He did a nice job. I think he got more and more comfortable as the practice progressed, which was a positive thing where typically you wonder, do you actually feel like it starts to bother you as it progresses? And it was the exact opposite," McVay said. "So he's a guy that he's played a lot of football, he's got such a good feel, but his presence out there is such a big boost to our football team. As far as what that means for his role this weekend, we're figuring that out as the week progresses. But it was definitely a definitely good step in the right direction with the way yesterday went."
For the Rams' actual injury report — on which Talib does not appear because he has not yet been activated to the 53-man roster — the team is remarkably clean for Week 13. While defensive lineman Ethan Westbrooks was unable to participate in Wednesday's practice with an illness, he would have been a full participant on Thursday had L.A. done more than a walk-thru.
On the other side, Lions starting running back Kerryon Johnson is still sidelined by a knee injury.
Below is the full injury report for both teams. Los Angeles' report for Thursday is an estimate, as the club held a walk-thru rather than a full practice.
Check out photos of the Rams taking on the Detroit Lions through the years.
"St. Louis Rams running back Todd Gurley during the game against the Detroit Lions. (Photo by Scott Rovak/St. Louis Rams)"
Punter (6) Johnny Hekker of Los Angeles Rams against the Detroit Lions during the Rams 28-31loss to the Lions in an NFL Week 6 game at Ford Field, Sunday, October 16, 2016, in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Los Angeles Rams special teams at the line of scrimmage during the NFL regular season game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016 in Detroit. (Ric Tapia/Rams)
Defensive tackle (99) Aaron Donald of Los Angeles Rams against the Detroit Lions during the Rams 28-31loss to the Lions in an NFL Week 6 game at Ford Field, Sunday, October 16, 2016, in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Running back (23) Benny Cunningham of Los Angeles Rams against the Detroit Lions during the Rams 28-31loss to the Lions in an NFL Week 6 game at Ford Field, Sunday, October 16, 2016, in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
"St. Louis Rams running back Todd Gurley during the game against the Detroit Lions. (Photo by Scott Rovak/St. Louis Rams)"
"DETROIT - OCTOBER 10: Oshiomogho Atogwe #21 of the St. Louis Rams stops Jahvid Best #44 of the Detroit Lions on October 10, 2010 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by G. Newman Lowrance/St. Louis Rams)"
"St. Louis Rams running back Todd Gurley during the game against the Detroit Lions. (Photo by Scott Rovak/St. Louis Rams)"
"St. Louis Rams running back Todd Gurley during the game against the Detroit Lions. (Photo by Scott Rovak/St. Louis Rams)"
"St. Louis Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein during the game against the Detroit Lions. (Photo by Scott Rovak/St. Louis Rams)"
"St. Louis Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald during the game against the Detroit Lions. (Photo by Scott Rovak/St. Louis Rams)"
Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) during the NFL regular season game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016 in Detroit. (Ric Tapia/Rams)
"DETROIT - OCTOBER 10: Fred Robbins #98 and Gary Gibson #71 of the St. Louis Rams gets a hit on Jahvid Best #44 of the Detroit Lions on October 10, 2010 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by G. Newman Lowrance/St. Louis Rams)"
"St. Louis Rams running back Benny Cunningham during the game against the Detroit Lions. (Photo by Scott Rovak/St. Louis Rams)"
"St. Louis Rams Steven Jackson runs for yardage as he pushes off Detroit Lions Amari Spievey during an NFL Football game on September 9, 2012 In Detroit. The Lions won the game 27-23. (Photo by G. Newman Lowrance/St. Louis Rams)"
Tight end (88) Lance Kendricks of Los Angeles Rams against the Detroit Lions during the Rams 28-31loss to the Lions in an NFL Week 6 game at Ford Field, Sunday, October 16, 2016, in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
"St. Louis Rams defensive end Chris Long during the game against the Detroit Lions. (Photo by Scott Rovak/St. Louis Rams)"
"DETROIT - OCTOBER 10: Rodger Saffold #76 of the St. Louis Rams looks to block against Kyle Vanden Bosch #93 of the Detroit Lions on October 10, 2010 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by G. Newman Lowrance/St. Louis Rams)"
"St. Louis Rams running back Todd Gurley during the game against the Detroit Lions. (Photo by Scott Rovak/St. Louis Rams)"
Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Dominique Easley (91) during the NFL regular season game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016 in Detroit. (Ric Tapia/Rams)
LOS ANGELES RAMS
FULL
C John Sullivan (not injury related)
LT Andrew Whitworth (not injury related)
DL Ethan Westbrooks (illness)
DETROIT LIONS
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
FB Nick Bellore (ankle)
RB Kerryon Johnson (knee)
LIMITED
WR Bruce Ellington (back)
Jalen Reeves-Maybin (neck)
TE Michael Roberts (shoulder)
WR Brandon Powell (calf)
