There’s no doubt about who the Los Angeles Rams’ starting defensive linemen will be when the season begins – assuming Aaron Donald returns in time – but the rotation behind Donald, Ndamukong Suh and Michael Brockers has yet to be determined.

There’s a lot of competition further down the depth chart, including rookies John Franklin-Myers, Sebastian Joseph-Day and veteran Dominique Easley. Those first two names have already been on the field, as has Ethan Westbrooks, but Easley has yet to practice.

He’s currently on the PUP list and it’s unclear when he’ll return. Easley is still recovering from a torn ACL last training camp – the third of his career – and the Rams are clearly taking it slow with the defensive lineman.

Sean McVay provided a bit of an update on Easley’s status Saturday, saying he’s still unsure when he’ll be back on the field. He anticipates that happening “at some point,” though.

“Just because of what he’s able to do when you put him on the PUP – it’s exclusive to doing things with (trainer) Reggie (Scott) and his staff. But he’s made a lot of really good progress. We anticipate him contributing to this football team at some point,” McVay said. “It might even be the possibility of removing him from that PUP list where you don’t have to wait that six weeks. So, he’s done a lot of really good things. You talk about somebody that’s learned how to fight through some adversity with some of the tough injuries that he’s had. We’re hopeful that he’ll come back and we’re anticipating him helping us out this year.”

If Easley remains on the PUP list until the start of the regular season, he’ll have to miss the first six weeks of the season, which is what McVay is alluding to. That wouldn’t be a huge blow for the Rams, but there’s no guarantee he’ll be fully healthy and back to normal when those six weeks are up.

They took a small risk by re-signing him to a one-year deal this offseason, which is why Easley is definitely a player who could be among the final cuts in September. He has to show he can stay healthy and still contribute on a fairly regular basis.