When the Los Angeles Rams learned Poona Ford was lost for the season and Kobie Turner would be spending some time on injured reserve, the biggest questions revolved around the depth of the interior defensive line.
Tyler Davis, who had some shining moments last season, and Ty Hamilton, who was a surprise improvement in the preseason, were called upon to step in for Ford and Turner. Not only did they make up for their absence, Davis and Hamilton were excellent, stifling the Las Vegas Raiders' rushing attack on Sunday.
In the 35-21 victory, Davis and Hamilton were crucial to holding the Raiders to 48 rushing yards. That's why when head coach Sean McVay was asked about specific players stepping up, he made sure to mention Davis and Hamilton at the start
of his response.
“It was a great reflection of the collective," said McVay. "I thought Ty Hamilton did a great job. I thought he was really disruptive on some early downs. I thought Tyler Davis made his plays, which he's earned the right, where we consistently have been able to count on him. I thought Ty Hamilton really stepped up. I thought it was awesome to see Larrell Murchison have some really good productive snaps and then [Braden] Fiske and Aaron [Donald], you really felt their presence."
He went on to praise the edge rushers and inside linebackers, as well.
"All five of those interior defensive linemen were active. You felt 'B.Y.' [Byron Young] on the edge. Josaiah [Stewart], Wes Bailey had some really good rushes that were encouraging. Then I thought our inside linebackers were excellent. I thought Omar Speights, you felt his presence all day. And I thought Shaun Dolac played really well also.”
The duo of Hamilton and Davis combined for six total tackles and one quarterback hit. With both being under contract through next season, the franchise has a promising future along the interior defensive line, even if tough financial decisions need to be made after the season with Ford and Turner.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Sean McVay praised Ty Hamilton, Tyler Davis for stepping up vs. Raiders
