Sean McVay recently revealed defensive end Braden Fiske is questionable ahead of the trip to face the Eagles. Then came another hit. Nick Hampton was ruled out due to illness, trimming the Rams’ defensive depth even further. However, there was finally a bit of daylight.

Just now, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport provided the update fans in Ram Nation wanted to hear. “#Rams DE Braden Fiske, who is questionable with an oblique injury, will play today against the #Eagles, per me and @MikeGarafolo,” he posted on X. That alone shifted the tone heading into a crucial matchup. But what happened to Fiske?

Fiske tweaked his oblique during warmups in Week 2 against Tennessee. However, he managed to get on the field in a limited fashion during Friday’s practice. It seems that’s enough for McVay and the medical staff to green-light him. Still, don’t expect a full workload. A snap count is likely, with his final status set right before the 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff in Philly.

Meanwhile, Hampton remains out. The outside linebacker hasn’t been a starter, but has given L.A. the needed rotation minutes. He played 15 defensive snaps and 19 special team snaps, the latter of which tied him for the third-most with Omar Speights.

One tackle this season, eight total in his young career, may not sound like much. But with a defense already thin, everybody counts. LB Keir Thomas is on injury reserve for the entire 2025 season due to an undisclosed injury. And yes, CB Ahkello Witherspoon is also out with a collarbone injury and put on injured reserve.

So now the challenge rests with Sean McVay. He heads into the City of Brotherly Love with a shorthanded crew, trying to patch together a front that must deal with one of the nastiest offensive lines in football. But Sean McVay also has an ace up his sleeve despite the long list of injuries.

Rams’ new addition set to shine as Sean McVay looks for Nick Hampton replacement

Fans are already buzzing for the NFC Divisional round rematch. Last season, Philly slipped past the Rams 28-22 in a snow-soaked thriller. Since then, the Rams have added Davante Adams, giving this budding rivalry a new flavor. But while Adams draws headlines, another newcomer is quietly becoming L.A.’s X-factor for Sunday’s clash against the Eagles.

Who are we talking about? Linebacker Nate Landman, who is carving out a major role for Sean McVay and the Rams. He forced the game-sealing fumble that beat the Houston Texans and followed it up with eight tackles in the Week 2 win over the Tennessee Titans. He’s exactly the kind of addition L.A. needed to counter teams like the Eagles in 2025.

As for Hampton’s replacement, McVay will likely have the likes of Jared Verse, Josaiah Stewart, Omar Speights, and Byron Young share the burden of those extra snaps. Whether that will work against a Jalen Hurts-led Eagles defense is something that only time will tell.