LA Rams max out promotes from PS in 4th consecutive week

The LA Rams seem to love the option to activate practice squad players for NFL GameDay Sunday so far this year. Each game so far, the Rams have activated the maximum number of players available from the practice squad, and Week 4 is no exception. This week, the LA Rams will be activating running back Buddy Howell (second time) and outside linebacker Justin Lawler (third time).

In Week 1: OLB Justin Lawler and DB Tyler Hall
In Week 2: OLB Justin Lawler and ILB Micah Kiser
In Week 3: RB Buddy Howell and DB Tyler Hall
In Week 4: RB Buddy Howell and OLB Justin Lawler

There’s no need to embellish this call-up by the Rams. ST Coordinator Joe DeCamillis has been a very proactive force to be reckoned with on special teams’ play, and he continues to use the practice squad to call up players who can contribute a significant number of snaps on GameDay Sunday. But wait a minute? Lawler was already activated twice this year in Weeks 1-2. How did the LA Rams find the loophole that allowed them to elevate Justin Lawler a third time?  Well, sure enough, there is a perfectly logical answer.

Both Lawler and now Howell seems to have caught the attention of the coaching staff. That’s a good thing, as both play a position that has been difficult to fill for the team this season.

Lawler is a 6-foot-4, 265-pound thumber off the end who has been getting a handful of snaps on defense. But he is coming off a solid training camp and preseason. He may be a bit more active on defense in Week 4, due to the team placing former starter Justin Hollins on Injured Reserve. Complicating the situation even further, veteran Leonard Floyd is nursing an ankle injury as well.

Of course, Lawler is not immune to injury. He suffered a broken hand in Week 2 and was out Week 3 as a result. He is now in a soft cast and should be able to contribute this week.

Howell is a 6-foot-1 215-pound running back who just arrived at the LA Rams on September 3rd. So far, he has been relegated to the practice squad, but he did have a chance to work on special team coverage in Week 3. He will have another chance to impress the coaching staff this week, as he will likely once more contribute to covering kicks and punts.

The Rams indicated that they will play running back Darrell Henderson this week despite just the second week away from suffering a painful injury. If he struggles, Howell could be used to spell Sony Michel. We believe that the size and power of Howell make him a very intriguing player for the LA Rams this year.