LA Rams activate both Justin Lawler and Micah Kiser from PS

The LA Rams never seem to wilt when it comes to taking a gamble. Still, when thinking about the high-stakes type of moves that the Rams have historically made, the first things that come to mind are either their transactions involving trades with other teams or their selection process of young talent during or after the NFL Draft.

Thinking about their use of activating players from the practice squad is not likely to enter the mind. And that’s perfectly understandable. Still, NFL teams are limited to activating a player from the practice squad just two times without subjecting that player to release and the NFL waiver wire to re-sign that player to the practice squad. The LA Rams are entering Week 2, and have already maxed out on the number of times they can activate OLB Justin Lawler.

Rams roster

The team has been forced to do so because they have just three healthy outside linebackers to open the season. Well two healthy starters in Leonard Floyd and Justin Hollins, and one partially healthy backup in Terrell Lewis. Partially healthy because the Rams are forced to extend Lewis rest days to manage his knee. But Lewis participated in full practice twice this week and is a go for Week 2 against the Indianapolis Colts.

The Rams activated Justin Lawler for Week 1, where he was quite active for the coverage units on special teams, as well as playing six snaps on defense. With his presence on the Rams sideline for a second consecutive week, the Rams will likely promote him to the 53-man roster at some point this season. Right now, the Rams are short two outside linebackers, with rookie Chris Garrett still quarantined on the team’s reserve/COVID-19 list and with Ogbonnia Okoronkwo on injured reserve.  The plan right now is to get Chris Garrett back on the active roster for Week 3.

This is the first time that Micah Kiser will play in a game for the Rams. Last year, he was the starting inside linebacker and was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week when facing Carson Wentz and the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2 last season. While he may not be in the same role this year, he certainly has a knack for stuffing the run for the Rams and may be used to squelch the Colts’ offense if their running game becomes effective.

Otherwise, Kiser will be used on special teams as well.

While these roster moves may not seem significant, they could be critical for either or both players’ hopes to join the team’s 53-man roster. A good performance in Week 2 against the Indianapolis Colts will be a huge step in that direction.