GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Los Angeles Rams inside linebacker Alec Ogletree exited Sunday's game early because of a hyperextended left elbow, but he believes he'll be ready to play in seven days.
He also wanted to clear something up.
"For the record, it wasn't on the touchdown," Ogletree said after the Rams' 32-16 win over the Arizona Cardinals, clearing up speculation that he injured himself while attempting a somersault in the end zone.
Ogletree hurt himself while making a tackle on a short pass across the middle at the two-minute mark of the first quarter, moments after intercepting Blaine Gabbert and returning it 41 yards for a touchdown. Ogletree stayed in the game after the injury, wearing a brace on his left elbow, but was clearly in pain while the Cardinals marched up the field for their first touchdown.
Ogletree, with ice wrapped around his ailing elbow postgame, said he was in "a lot of pain" during that possession, which saw the Cardinals mostly attack the middle of the field.
"I wish I didn't even go back out there because I didn't feel like I was any good to be out there," Ogletree added. "They definitely were running right at me, and I couldn't use my arm. I let my ego get in the way a little bit."
Ogletree, the Rams' leader in defensive snaps heading into the game, exited on the extra-point attempt after that score, with a little more than seven minutes remaining before halftime, and did not return.
"Right now, it's looking up to be ready for next week," said Ogletree, whose Rams next host the first-place Eagles. "We gotta see what they say tomorrow. I'll find out tomorrow for sure what it's going to be, but right now, it's just going to take a lot of treatment."
Bryce Hager, an undrafted linebacker who is in his third year with the Rams, took Ogletree's place as an inside linebacker and signal caller for the rest of the defense. He helped the Rams limit the Cardinals to 18 rushing yards in the second half, providing a big lift for a team that was also without outside linebacker Connor Barwin.
"Coming into each game, you have to prepare like you're a starter," Hager said. "You never know when that opportunity's going to be."