LA Rams roster readies for Jordan Fuller return, or something else?

The LA Rams cleared two spots and they project to activate Jordan Fuller. Do the Rams have ulterior plans in the works?

The LA Rams are following the normal path to return both rookie safety Jordan Fuller and second-year offensive lineman Joseph Noteboom to the 53-man roster. Or at least that is the most obvious follow-up action to today’s roster moves.  The Rams started from a point of just 52 players on their 53-man active roster.

While that allowed the roster spot for the team to activate one player from injured reserve, the team had two players in the queue and a third remaining on Injured reserve. So more roster moves were required, and on Tuesday, November 10, the Rams made some additional roster moves.

Roster adjustments

The team waived OLB Natrez Patrick from the 53-man roster, likely planning to sign him to the practice squad. To make room there, the Rams released rookie center Cohl Cabral from the 16-man practice squad.

Those moves, while certainly introducing a bit of confusion, have set the Rams 53-man roster up to activate both Fuller and Noteboom this week. Both players could be added to the roster as soon as Wednesday, November 11.  And for everything that we currently know, that is where this is likely headed.

Ulterior motives

A curious matter is where the Rams have elected to make their roster cuts. The Rams are tight at both the inside and outside linebacker positions this year, and Natrez Patrick certainly handled the outside linebacker duties and could slide to the inside in a pinch.  While he was a waiver candidate since moving to the 53-man roster, he has become a bit of a special teams fixture, particularly on special teams where he played in 56 percent of the special teams plays.

Moving Patrick now suggests that the Rams have other plans for the special teams’ coverage units. If so, the team may be enhancing Terrell Lewis’ role on special teams.  The Rams could certainly shift coverage duties to several other defensive players. But the Rams may be seeking the opportunity to reinforce areas of the roster that are not as deep as the team hoped for this part of the season.  We will talk about other possible opportunities next.