St. Louis Rams Bring Back LB Jo-Lonn Dunbar

Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

It was first reported on Sunday Night that former Ram and free agent LB Jo-Lonn Dunbar will be returning to the St. Louis Rams via Jason La Canfora

Barring any sort of unforeseen changes in the AM, looks like LB Jo-Lonn Dunbar is heading back to the Rams and re-signing with them
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) September 30, 2013

After being released from New Orleans, Dunbar finally found himself in a secure spot in St. Louis. In 2012, he recorded a career-high 115 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and two interceptions.

On Aug. 14, the NFL announced that Rams’ starting linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar would be suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2013 NFL season for violating the NFL policy on substance abuse. This was a huge blow to the Rams defense as Dunbar was one of the brightest spots on the defense last year. With his heavy hitting and constant trash talking to opposing players, Rams Nation loved watching him play week in and week out.

Jeff Fisher was very displeased with Dunbar’s decision on taking performance-enhancing drugs calling him “selfish” and how he was “very dissapointed”.

Three weeks later, on September 3rd the St. Louis Rams announced that they cut Dunbar from the suspension list. This came as a shock to most, as the Rams were already thin at linebacker. However, it was very interesting to see Jeff Fisher not tolerate any mistakes by one of his best defenders and just simply releasing him.

The past two weeks versus the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers the Rams have allowed a combined total of 412 yards on the ground and have been completely flat on defense. The Rams were also outscored 66-18 in those two contest.

The Rams are now 1-3 on the season and are very desperate to get this season turned around as quick as possible. The return of Jo-Lonn Dunbar will have him fit right into the starting lineup week five versus the Jacksonville Jaguars. He brings intensity and fear into this struggling Rams defense that they urgently been looking for.

Filed to ESPN: No surprise here, league source confirms LB Jo-Lonn Dunbar to re-sign with Rams on Tuesday... http://t.co/KWE1boPd7E
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) October 1, 2013

It’s hard to see an acquisition of a linebacker turn around a team’s season, but we all know how much Jo-Lonn Dunbar meant to this team last year and he will have the same impact when he steps onto the field come Sunday afternoon versus Jacksonville

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