T.J. McDonald Injury: Updates on Rams Safety's Shoulder and Recovery

The St. Louis Rams have placed starting strong safety T.J. McDonald on injured reserve with a shoulder injury, according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Thomas also noted the Rams promoted practice-squad cornerback Eric Patterson to the active roster to account for McDonald’s IR placement.

Rams head coach Jeff Fisher said Wednesday he anticipated McDonald would need season-ending surgery, according to Doug Vaughn of CBS Sports 920. He is one of eight Rams who've been placed on IR this season, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com.

Fisher indicated McDonald had been battling the injury throughout the season and that Wednesday’s decision was made in the best interest of his sustained health in the future, per Wagoner:

"

We’re moving forward with this, we’re being aggressive with this, so that he can come back at 100 percent. Our concern is his future and we need to go ahead and move forward with it so he can come back. It’s a 10- to 12-week rehab and he’ll be back at 100 percent. … The shoulder subluxed and we’ve got some things we have to get fixed. He’ll come back, he’ll come back 100 percent, but it’s not fair to ask him to play under the circumstances.

"

McDonald is fourth on the team with 63 tackles, with a forced fumble and a sack over 11 games. 

The Rams secondary has already been dealt injuries to Janoris Jenkins (concussion) and Trumaine Johnson (thigh), and the team's playoff hopes have dwindled after losing five straight. 

Thought to be a possible dark horse in the NFC early this season, St. Louis has since fallen off and now sits at 4-8, tied for last place in the NFC West.