Latest LA Rams roster moves leaves one open spot

The latest LA Rams roster moves leave one open spot. Now, who will fill that spot?

The LA Rams have been methodically making roster changes this year.  Even as news of a player injury signifies a significant amount of time lost via the healing process, the Rams have not made the immediate move to place players onto the injured reserve. That rather slow pace has allowed the Rams to determine how many weeks the player will need to recover and plan the roster accordingly.

But the latest bit of roster moves need some quick and dirty analysis.  So  the team reported the following news:

The team vacated a spot on the 53-man roster by placing rookie Terrell Burgess on IR for the remainder of the season.  The team opened a practice squad roster spot by placing DB Donte Deayon on practice squad/injured reserve. The team filled the practice squad spot by signing former kicker Austin MacGinnis. And the team has submitted previously injured offensive guard Joseph Noteboom into the 21-day designation list. The result? The LA Rams have 52 players on their active roster now.

Trade deadline tactics

Of course, the NFL trade deadline is almost here, and the strategy of vacating a roster spot suggests that the Rams could move a draft pick for a player to help now, and by doing so fill the last remaining roster spot. Right now, the LA Rams roster is shallow at both linebacker and safety, and the season is near to the midpoint.

The LA Rams defense is playing lights out so far this season.  But the team is noticeably light on the roster in key defensive positions. It would be wise for the team to act now if the intent is to add a player or two. The Rams then have two weeks before facing the Seattle Seahawks to onboard and acclimate players and coaches to one another.  Is the empty roster spot a sign of a deal in the making? Or is it just a prudent way of holding the door open for the return of OL Joseph Noteboom to the 53-man roster?  We’ll know soon enough.