Unsexy but wise, the LA Rams sign TE Kendall Blanton to roster

The LA Rams did not wait too long before filing their active roster spot. After what must have been a rather impressive game for backup tight end Kendall Blanton, it appears as though the team has signed him to the 53-man roster. After all of the fuss and furor over the past several days, signing a backup tight end off the practice squad is… unsexy.

True. But it may be the wisest move by the team’s front office all week.

The move is completely understandable, as Blanton is 6-foot-6, weighs 260-pounds, has the size and power of an offensive tackle, and can catch the football in a pinch. The Rams’ running game suffered significantly in Week 7 as a result of not using 12-personnel (two tight-ends). Blanton restores that option, and in a big way.

But in the topsy-turvy world that is the LA Rams personnel decisions, Blanton’s one and only appearance so far this season resulted in two offensive snaps, and six snaps on special teams. Hardly the kind of significant test drive you might expect to sign the guy to the active roster, is it?

So what team transactions were packaged in advance of Week 8? Well, not only did the Rams sign Blanton, but the team activated two defensive backs: Antoine Brooks and Tyler Hall; from the practice squad for this game.

With the LA Rams currently listing three of their defensive backs as questionable for Week 8, it makes sense for the team to activate two defensive backs for this week’s game. Even if Jordan Fuller, Jalen Ramsey, and Robert Rochell are all a go for Week 8, the Rams can assign both elevated DBs to coverage units.

Now, let’s unpack what all of this means.