The Los Angeles Rams will be without star cornerback Trent McDuffie for their Week 6 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. McDuffie is inactive after dealing with a groin injury suffered during practice, forcing the Rams to adjust their secondary against a divisional opponent.
Cam Lampkin will take McDuffie’s spot on the game-day active roster, giving Los Angeles another option in the secondary as the team prepares to face Arizona.
McDuffie’s absence is a significant blow for a Rams defense that has benefited from his elite coverage ability through the team’s first five games of the 2026 season. The former Kansas City Chiefs standout has arguably been the best cornerback in football this year, consistently limiting opposing receivers and making life difficult for quarterbacks.
Losing McDuffie could force defensive coordinator Chris Shula to make adjustments to his coverage assignments against the Cardinals. His ability to match up against opposing teams’ top wide receivers gives Los Angeles valuable flexibility, particularly in critical passing situations.
With McDuffie sidelined, the Rams will need the rest of their secondary to step up. Los Angeles cannot afford to surrender easy completions or allow Arizona’s passing attack to dictate the pace of the game, especially in a divisional matchup with important implications.
Lampkin’s elevation to the active roster provides additional depth, but replacing McDuffie’s impact will require a collective effort from the Rams’ defensive backs.
The Rams will hope McDuffie’s groin injury is short-term and that their star cornerback can return to the lineup soon. For Week 6, however, Los Angeles must find a way to compensate for the loss of one of its most important defensive playmakers.
