Any team that loses an All-Pro cornerback is going to look significantly different without him. The Los Angeles Rams learned that the hard way when Aqib Talib went down in Week 3 with a severe ankle injury, landing him on IR for eight games.

The secondary was borderline dominant in those first three weeks, and not surprisingly, it’s been outstanding the last two games with Talib back in the mix. That’s no coincidence, but as well as Talib has played since returning in Week 13, he’s still not 100 percent healthy yet.

Despite the coaching staff lifting his snap limit against the Bears on Sunday, Talib said on NFL Network Tuesday night that he’s still not completely back to being himself.

“I’m getting back. I’m not all the way there, but I’m getting back,” Talib said. “I can really change direction and make it through four quarters now, wake up the next day and feel pretty good. So a few more games, just in time [for playoffs], I’ll be myself. Pitch count is gone, done with.”

Talib played all but two snaps on Sunday in Chicago, so it’s not as if the coaching staff is protecting him or taking it cautiously with his return. Sure, he was held to just 26 snaps in his first game back against the Lions, but there don’t seem to be any limitations now.

As long as Talib is 100 percent by the time the playoffs start, the Rams will be thrilled. He’s playing at a high level now despite not being “all the way” back, as he put it, so if he keeps improving day by day, the Rams will be in good shape.