LA Rams News: Waiving LB Patrick and Latest Injury updates

In LA Rams News: The team waived LB Patrick to clear a roster spot for Whitworth, plus the latest from the Rams injury report

The LA Rams are in surprisingly far better shape than even a week ago. At this time last week, the Rams had just signed backup quarterback Blake Bortles and were committed to starting backup quarterback John Wolford for the first time of his career.  It was the nightmarish type of scenario that just seemed to be one more nightmare piling on the Rams hopes for getting into the playoffs.

Wolford did just enough to win that game, and everything beyond the thinnest of margins came from the help of his teammates. After throwing an interception off his first pass to set up the Cardinals for their lone score of the contest, an 11-yard touchdown pass, it was all Rams offense, or defense, or special teams.

Wolford led the team to three field goals, nine points that were enough to win this one. The Rams defense doubled that, with a pick-six and safety, which raised the Rams score to 18. No, it wasn’t a surgically precise offense. But for the first time, it appeared very much to be an offense running on manual. For many fans, it was nice to see the Rams win in gut-check style.

Whitworth for Patrick

To no surprise, the LA Rams activated offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth today. To make room on the roster, the team waived outside linebacker Natrez Patrick.  The 6-foot-3 242-pound was signed as an undrafted free agent to the team after the 2019 NFL Draft. Originally a Georgia Bulldog, Patrick has had a limited role with the team this season. Patrick played special teams exclusively this year, recording three tackles for the season. He will certainly be a candidate to be re-signed to a future reserve contract at the end of the Rams playoff run.

In return, the Rams have returned Big Whit to the offensive line, The 6-foot-7 330-pound offensive left tackle for the LA Rams was playing his best football since 2014 until he fell to injury in the first meeting with the Seattle Seahawks. Whitworth has completed 15 seasons in the NFL as a starting offensive lineman and will return to his role despite suffering a serious knee injury midway through the season. Whitworth’s grade in 2020 by Pro Football Focus is 88.7 for 2020, and he’s coming back. But he may not be the only one.

Injury report

The latest LA Rams injury report was released today and only three players on the team are at questionable status. Left guard David Edwards is listed as questionable with an ankle injury. Linebacker Micah Kiser was limited at practice with an injured knee. He has been upgraded from out last week to questionable this week. And of course, starting quarterback Jared Goff remained limited in practice with his injured right thumb. He too was limited in practice.

The return of Whitworth could allow the Rams to slide Joseph Noteboom to the left guard spot if Edwards is unable to go in this one. And the return of Goff, real or Memorex, will create a challenge for the Seahawks defense in trying to be ready for two vastly different quarterbacks.

The return of Micah Kiser would be huge, as the Seattle Seahawks offense will be at it’s healthiest. And to take the pressure off quarterback Russell Wilson, you can expect Seattle to lean heavily on running plays. In fact, after two games with more passing plays, you can almost bet that the Seahawks will try to run the ball, control the clock, and force the LA Rams to try winning through a passing game.

The Rams will need to be ready for anything. This game is not about rankings. It’s win-or-go-home. I personally would like to see the Rams advance.