Defensive tackle Dominique Easley passed his physical and has been removed from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, the Rams announced on Monday. It’s a tremendous development for Easley, who has suffered three torn ACLs since 2011 and has not seen the field since the 2016 season. 
When healthy, Easley has been extremely effective. He earned positive marks from Pro Football Focus in both 2015 and 2016, and was expected to see an uptick in playing time last year. In 2016, his last NFL season, he played in all 16 games and recorded 24 tackles and 3.5 sacks.
Easley figures to serve as one of the first defensive linemen off of the bench behind starters Michael Brockers, Ndamukong Suh, and Aaron Donald. Between those three, Easley, and Ethan Westbrooks, the Rams may boast the league’s most fearsome group at defensive line.
Had Easley remained on the PUP list to start the season, he would have been barred from playing in the first six games of the regular season.