The Los Angeles Rams placed two players on injured reserve on Saturday ahead of their matchup with the Dallas Cowboys in Week 5. Injuries have been a concern for the team, especially in their secondary and on the offensive line.
Safety Jordan Fuller and center Coleman Shelton were put on the injured reserve list, clearing the way for the activation of running back Malcolm Brown to the 53-man roster. Additionally, tight end Jacob Harris and center Matt Skura were also activated from the practice squad, clearing the way for them to participate on Sunday if the Rams’ coaching staff thinks they might give Los Angeles a better chance to win.
Fuller and Shelton were both slated to be key contributors for the Rams in 2022, and their absence will be felt as the team heads into the meat of its schedule. The running back, Brown, has had moments of brilliance for Los Angeles in limited action and may help revitalize their ground game this week.
Harris and Skura are long-shots to make the gameday roster tomorrow, though their activations are a good sign for their long-term trajectory with the Rams. As the next men up when their teammates were designated for injured reserve, both players are set to see snaps if further injuries require Los Angeles to amend their depth chart.
These moves were an inauspicious start to the weekend for a team that hopes to get back into contention with a win on Sunday. Certainly, the deactivation of two players who could have been starters is a kick in the teeth to the Rams ahead of such a crucial matchup, but the team has been known for its resilience in the face of adversity over the last several years.
As they look to get their record back over .500 against the Cowboys, Los Angeles’ coaching staff will put together the best possible game plan to utilize the available talent they’ll have at their disposal and could turn some heads with a win in Week 5.