LA Rams restore J.R. Reed to PS, Hocker waived needlessly.

The LA Rams saw how offenses have been carving up their secondary and decided to adjust their practice squad by welcoming back a possible reinforcement defensive back, J.R. Reed. If you recall, Reed was waived to afford the club the opportunity to add a now healthy Ogbonnia Okoronkwo back to the roster for Week 4.  To date, Reed had not been getting much work with the Rams, and he was deemed expendable.

Now, after Week 4? Not so much.

At least, not after the Arizona Cardinals and their quarterback Kyler Murray found a 75 percent completion rate, 268 yards, and two touchdowns. That came just one week after LA Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford had done the same thing to Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady.  Reed is back after one week.

One in. One out. Even Steven.

Hocker waiver was not necessary

To clear room this time, the Rams are jettisoning an intriguing offensive lineman, Jared Hocker. Hocker was considered to be the 10th best offensive guard in the 2021 NFL Draft. With the Rams’ current expiration of up to four offensive linemen contracts at the start of 2022, Hocker was originally viewed as a bit of insurance policy. Not just for next year, but in the random chance that the team needed reinforcements this year as well.

The curious thing is? The Rams did not need to waive Hocker here and now. Due to the rules of the IPP, offensive lineman Max Pircher is exempt from the roster limits. So the Rams now have 15+1  of the 16+1 practice squad slots filled.

More Rams roster moves remaining

More Rams roster moves will be forthcoming, as the team will need to find a spot for offensive lineman Tremayne Anchrum now that he has been designated as returning to the active roster. The Rams have 14 days remaining to do so.

The Rams must find the funds to re-sign or replace Brian Allen, Austin Corbett, Coleman Shelton, and Joseph Noteboom. They are also facing the chance of losing the venerable Andrew Whitworth to retirement. Cutting Hawker just one month after his signing does not bode well for the young man.