Rams place Quentin Lake, Tyler Higbee and Rob

The Rams, Super Bowl contenders driving a five-game profitable streak, will navigate at least the next 4 video games of the season without three veteran starters.

The Rams on Wednesday positioned security Quentin Lake, tight end Tyler Higbee and proper sort out Rob Havenstein on injured reserve.

Lake, who had surgical procedure Tuesday for a dislocated left elbow, Higbee (ankle) and Havenstein (knee/ankle) must sit out at least 4 video games before they’re eligible to return. The earliest return can be a Dec. 18 sport against the Seahawks in Seattle.

“You don’t replace players like that,” McVay said of the expertise and management that can be lacking when the Rams play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at SoFi Stadium. “You can’t expect others to be able to do that. You expect guys that are getting opportunities to step up to be the best versions of themselves.”

Lake, 26, was injured last Sunday in a victory over the Seattle Seahawks, a win that improved the Rams’ document to 8-2. McVay indicated that if Lake returns, it could probably be for the playoffs.

Josh Wallace performed in Lake’s place as a hybrid nickel nook/linebacker. McVay said the Rams would continue to consider and formulate a plan to change Lake shifting ahead, but they’re anticipated to think about using a mixture that consists of security Kam Kinchens, Wallace and cornerbacks Cobie Durant and Roger McCreary.

Higbee also was injured against the Seahawks.

The Tenth-year professional has 20 receptions, including two for touchdowns, as the chief of a tight end group that consists of Davis Allen, Colby Parkinson and rookie Terrance Ferguson, who is predicted to get an elevated function in Higbee’s absence.

Havenstein, an eleventh 12 months professional, performed the first 4 video games before he was sidelined for three video games because of accidents. Third-year professional Warren McClendon performed in his place.

Havenstein returned against the New Orleans Saints and has performed the last three video games, but McVay said time on injured reserve would allow him to work back to full strength.

“Both of those guys are obviously big-time leaders and catalysts on our team and our offense,” quarterback Matthew Stafford said of Higbee and Havenstein. “But we’ll just move forward with the guys that we have, and then hopefully those guys can heal up and be ready to go at some point.”

In corresponding strikes, the Rams signed kicker Harrison Mevis to the energetic roster, claimed security Chris Smith II off waivers from the Las Vegas Raiders and signed cornerback Alex Johnson to the observe squad.