Giants poach LA Rams DB J.R. Reed off practice squad.

Even as the LA Rams are dealing with the NFL Trade deadline and looking for ways to improve the roster, other teams are engaged in the same exercise. So it came to pass today that the New York Giants, eager to improve their pass defense, signed defensive back J.R. Reed off the LA Rams practice squad today to fill a roster spot vacated by an injured Jabril Peppers.

Reed has been a player who has helped the LA Rams in the past. The team signed him in September 2020 as an undrafted free agent after he had been signed and cut by the Jacksonville Jaguars. At 6-foot-1 and 202-pounds, he filled in rather nicely in the Rams secondary in 2020. So far in 2021, he had seen action in only one game this year.

He began the season on the LA Rams’ active roster. But when outside linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo was healthy enough to return from IR, the Rams waived Reed to make room, subsequently signing him to the practice squad.

Rams roster moves due

The action leaves the Rams with some roster spots to fill: one the practice squad, and now a roster spot to fill on the 53-man active roster. The Rams had elevated TE Kendall Blanton for Week 7, but there have been no reports as to his status permanently changing. As the NFL Trade Deadline approaches, the Rams find themselves with two roster vacancies to fill.

The move leaves only Jake Gervase as the only safety on the Rams practice squad.

While today’s events were predictable, considering the fact that Reed has been a contributing member to one of the NFL’s premier secondaries, losing Reed at this point in the season is a bit disappointing.  Reed may not have been a starter, but his familiarity with the Rams defense and players allowed the team to plug him in and expect a solid performance.

The Giants signed a solid player. Now, the Rams have one more hole to fill. Hopefully, the team’s scouting department already has a shortlist of players ready to go on Wednesday morning.