2 Rams defenders may have forced roster talks in preseason win over Chargers

The Los Angeles Rams are at the apex of roster decisions. While other NFL teams used their second preseason game to fine-tune their starters. Conversely, head coach Sean McVay uses Game 2 to solidify their final roster slots. Typically, the team deploys its projected practice squad players in the third and final game of the preseason.

But in Game 2, roster slots are very much up in the air. The team faced off against the Los Angeles Chargers, a team that has allowed just 20 points in two preseason games. And to make matters worse, the Rams knew that they would be facing the Bolts' starters.

This was not supposed to be a close game. It was the Chargers’ attempt to fine-tune their starters against the Rams’ effort to give players on the roster bubble a chance to prove they deserve to stick around. Even though it’s preseason, fans were wise not to discount the Rams’ passion. Throughout the game, they showed they’re not content to just punch a time clock. They’re playing the sport they love and fighting for the right to carry on into the season.

Final Score

Los Angeles Chargers 22
Los Angeles Rams 23

Two Rams defenders make final push for a roster spot

Outside linebacker Brennan Jackson entered the game with an urgent need to turn heads and show up big in this one. He came up with a huge QB sack against the Los Angeles Chargers' starting offense on a first down and 10 yards to go at the Rams' 11-yard line.

He seemed to enjoy that so much that he lined up and did it again on the Chargers' third offensive possession of the game. He put up two quarterback sacks against their starters and primary backups.

Cornerback AJ Green showed up huge against the Bolts' starting wide receivers, getting two pass deflections in the opening drive that limited QB Justin Herbert to two of five completions for 46 yards. It seemed as though their offensive strategy (in preseason, no less) was to throw at Green throughout their opening drive.

By halftime, Green had two tackles and two pass breakups. Despite the Chargers' starters opening the game, their trio of quarterbacks completed just 10 of 21 passes for 136 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions at halftime.

The initial 53-man roster isn’t finalized yet, but it’s certainly down to just a handful of spots still up in the air. The second preseason game, however, helped bring some of that competition into sharper focus. The Rams’ defense looks close to settling its depth chart, and several offensive roles now appear to be within reach for the top contenders. In fact, two defenders may have all but secured their roster spots with this performance.

As always, thanks for reading.

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