Los Angeles Rams hopeful to have Clay Matthews return after their bye week

The Los Angeles Rams are far from 100% entering Week 8, where they’ll host the Cincinnati Bengals at Wembley Stadium in London. Starters Aqib Talib, John Johnson III, and Joseph Noteboom have all been placed on IR with the potential to return later in the year. Specifically regarding this Sunday, they will be without RB Malcolm Brown, and linebackers Bryce Hager and Clay Matthews.

Rams’ Head Coach Sean McVay is optimistic that Matthews — who’s been out since suffering a broken jaw in Week 5 against the Seahawks — will soon return.

Clay is going to continue to be out, we’re hopeful to get him back after the bye.

The initial recovery timeline was that Matthews would be out 4-6 weeks, the front end of which would have him return in Week 10 when the Rams head east to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Clay was having a very productive start to the year prior to injury, having started all five games tallying six sacks, two forced fumbles and 19 tackles. It goes without saying that having him back would be a huge boost the Rams, as they look to string together wins and climb up the NFC West ranks.