Tag: rams updates

Rams sign CB Ahkello Witherspoon to active roster, make 2 other moves

The Rams made a series of roster moves on Tuesday, highlighted by signing CB Ahkello Witherspoon to the active roster.

Tuesday was a busy day for the Rams’ front office. Cooper Kupp dominated the headlines with reports that he could be traded but behind the scenes, the team made several roster moves, including signing CB Ahkello Witherspoon to the active roster.

https://twitter.com/ramsnfl/status/1848884543694246138

Witherspoon rejoined the Rams in September after starting all 17 games for the organization last season. Witherspoon played the last three games on the Rams’ practice squad before signing to the active roster.

To make room earlier this week, Elias Neal was waived on Monday. Neal cleared waivers and was signed to the Rams’ practice squad.

The team also placed OLB Zach VanValkenburg on the practice squad injury list.

With Joe Noteboom, Puka Nacua and possibly others set to return within the next three weeks, the Rams are expected to make several more roster moves within the next 21 days.

Rams can’t pass up chance to add this former 1st-round LB who was just cut

The Commanders waived former first-round LB Jamin Davis on Tuesday and the Rams can’t pass up the chance to improve at the position

The Washington Commanders announced Tuesday that they have severed ties with 2021 first-round pick Jamin Davis, waiving him after three-plus seasons. Davis has failed to live up to expectations in the nation’s capital and after struggling to impress at linebacker, Commanders head coach Dan Quinn moved Davis to DE this offseason.

The move came after the team signed former Rams LB Bobby Wagner in the offseason. Davis did not adjust well to the switch and is now looking for a fresh start.

While some suitors may be interested in Davis, his play has likely turned many executives off from seeking his services. The Rams should take advantage of this situation as he is a clear upgrade over Troy Reeder and Christian Rozeboom.

While he has some deficiencies in pass coverage, he’s a tacking monster whose development was hampered by the multiple issues that sprung up during the tenure of Ron Rivera. Then-defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio was using a scheme that was clearly behind the times and as a result, Davis always looked one step late on the play.

Davis has been a victim of mismanagement but he’s always controlled what he could control. He attacks blockers with violent intentions, he brings ball carriers down and he’s a nightmare for QBs when called to blitz.

He reminds me a lot of the Chargers’ Denzel Perryman and for a team with a below-average run defense, Davis could be a much-needed reprieve. With Reeder and Rozeboom struggling, the Rams should pounce on this chance to improve at linebacker.

Sean McVay praises Sam Darnold ahead of Thursday’s Rams-Vikings game

Sean McVay had positive things to say about Vikings QB Sam Darnold, his development and the job Kevin O’Connell has done with him

Despite never working with one another, Sean McVay and Vikings starting QB Sam Darnold have more connections and similarities than one would assume.

McVay was the Rams’ head coach when Darnold was playing his final two years at USC, both playing their home games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Darnold has played under Kyle Shanahan, whom McVay worked with in Washington, and currently plays for Kevin O’Connell, who was the Rams’ offensive coordinator from 2020-2021.

When speaking of Darnold, McVay complimented him and the Vikings coaching staff ahead of Thursday night’s matchup.

“I think they’re doing a great job. You see a guy that can create off-schedule. I think he’s playing in rhythm, on time, understands the intent of what Kevin’s calling,” McVay said Monday. “I’ve seen a guy that uses his athleticism to be able to move the sticks a lot and I see his teammates have a bunch of confidence in him. A lot of the things that made him such a highly rated prospect coming out of USC. I think he’s in a good situation obviously with a coach that I have tremendous respect for. You can see there’s a comfort that those two have and then I’m seeing the athleticism when things do break down and go a little bit outside the timing and rhythm, where he’s made a bunch of plays.”

This week’s matchup will be very interesting as Darnold’s future in Minnesota remains murky despite his excellent start. Darnold is set to be a free agent after the season and the Vikings spent their 2024 first-round pick on Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy.

With an aging Matthew Stafford and Darnold’s familiarity with McVay’s scheme, might Darnold’s future lead him back to Los Angeles?

Rams waive undrafted rookie LB, opening up a roster spot

The Rams opened up a roster spot, waiving 2024 UDFA Elias Neal on Monday.

The Los Angeles Rams announced on Monday that they have waived LB Elias Neal. Neal, a 2024 undrafted free-agent signing from Marshall University, impressed coaches and executives in the preseason. Neal defied the odds, making the teams’ 53-man roster to begin the season.

During his time with the Rams, Neal was active in five games and exclusively played on special teams. Neal saw zero defensive snaps during his time with the organization.

Waiving Neal opens up a roster spot for the Rams. Only time will tell what the Rams do with said opening but Sean McVay said Monday that the team could activate Joe Noteboom from injured reserve this week, so he would require a spot on the 53-man roster.

Sean McVay shares update on Jordan Whittington’s shoulder injury

Sean McVay gave an update on the shoulder injury that Jordan Whittington suffered over the weekend.

During Sean McVay’s press conference on Monday, he detailed some of the injuries suffered by the Rams, including a shoulder injury sustained by rookie receiver Jordan Whittington.

McVay said Whittington “got his shoulder” but like the other banged-up players coming out of Sunday, this injury won’t cause him to miss any time.

As Rams fans were witnessed to on Sunday, Whittington put his body on the line time and time again, including a diving catch where he seemingly landed on his shoulder.

He was also tackled hard on a crossing route late in the game, landing on his shoulder that time, as well. He completed the catch still.

Fortunately for the Rams, he isn’t expected to miss any time and with the team having a bye this week, he should be 100 percent by their next game.

Sean McVay shares injury updates on Joe Noteboom and Kevin Dotson

Sean McVay gave Rams fans even more bad news on Monday with updates on two more offensive linemen

The Rams entered Sunday night against Detroit with a slew of injuries to the offensive line. A problem compounded by even more injuries suffered by the line during the game. Linemen Joe Noteboom and Kevin Dotson were not lucky enough to escape the game unscathed.

Sean McVay took to the podium Monday to give updates on the two.

Left tackle Joe Noteboom will be out for a few weeks after injuring his ankle. Alaric Jackson remains suspended, and his punishment will be completed after this week.

Kevin Dotson is listed as day-to-day. The right guard suffered a lateral ankle sprain against the Lions.

With injuries decimating the offensive line, it will be a challenge for the coaching staff to compile a competent starting five up front.

Rams sign Cory Durden back to practice squad after cutting him

The Rams only briefly said goodbye to Cory Durden as the defensive lineman was added back to the practice squad.

After getting waived by the Rams on Wednesday, defensive tackle Cory Durden is back with the team as he’s the newest addition to the practice squad.

In order to make room for Durden, the team released UDFA Tuli Letuligasenoa. Letuligasenoa is a defensive tackle from the University of Washington.

This is Durden’s second year with the Rams. He’s also one of several players who have played for both the Rams and Lions during the Sean McVay era.

The Rams waived him on Wednesday after signing veteran Neville Gallimore to the 53-man roster, so they needed to make room for that addition.

Former Rams RB Cam Akers signs with Texans

Former Rams RB Cam Akers is getting another shot, this time with the Texans

The Houston Texans have announced that they have signed former Rams running back Cam Akers. Akers, a second-round pick out of Florida State in 2020, spent a little over three years with the team before being traded to the Vikings in 2023.

During his time with the Rams, Akers helped filled the void left by Todd Gurley and was part of the franchise’s Super Bowl run in 2021, returning to the team for the playoffs after tearing his Achilles tendon in training camp.

Akers is attempting to come back from another Achilles injury that he suffered with Minnesota last season, which limited him to only six games with the Vikings before going on the shelf.

In his Rams career, Akers rushed for 1,443 yards and 10 touchdowns in 30 games (15 starts). He also had 250 receiving yards and one touchdown.

 

Rams schedule joint practices with 3 teams this summer

The Rams spice up their training camp schedule with four joint practices against the NFL’s best.

Joint practices provide teams a valuable opportunity to evaluate the current condition of their roster as they battle against hungry, NFL-caliber talent. It’s quite difficult to constantly simulate live, beneficial repetitions within the team structure so the Rams have scheduled four joint practices, giving players a chance to hit players besides their teammates.

The team will host three practices in California, two with the Chargers and one with the Dallas Cowboys. The team will also travel to Houston to hold a joint practice with the Texans.

Considering all three teams host some of the best coaching staffs and rosters in the NFL, this is an opportunity for the Rams to accurately judge their championship potential along with the weak points inside the team.

Rams met with Syracuse EDGE Alton Robinson

The Rams are in need of some pass-rush help after losing Dante Fowler Jr. and cutting Clay Matthews this offseason, and they’re almost certain to find some in the draft. They’ve shown interest in a number of pass rushers leading up to the draft, …

The Rams are in need of some pass-rush help after losing Dante Fowler Jr. and cutting Clay Matthews this offseason, and they’re almost certain to find some in the draft. They’ve shown interest in a number of pass rushers leading up to the draft, including Syracuse’s Alton Robinson.

According to Justin Melo of Draft Wire, the Rams had a FaceTime call with Robinson.

Robinson is considered a mid-round prospect, likely going sometime between Rounds 3 and 4. The Rams have two third-rounders at Nos. 84 and 104, which would be a good range for Robinson.

He boasts good athleticism and size at 6-foot-3, 264 pounds, running a 4.49 40-yard dash. He’s an explosive pass rusher, too, showing good burst off the line of scrimmage.