Closing arguments for these for 4 LA Rams bubble players

III: Running back

If the LA Rams would look past rehab to durability on the roster, then Trey Ragas has made a solid case for a roster spot. While he began late to the competition, the 5-foot-10, 214-pound rusher played only one half of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals, and yet between Super Bowl LVI and the LA Rams’ third and final preseason game, he put up the best numbers of the entire Rams roster on the ground.

He rushed with authority and determination, carrying the pigskin just 11 times on his way to gaining 52 yards, averaging a rather impressive 4.7 yards per run. In Super Bowl LVI, starting running back Cam Akers rushed 13 times for 21 yards. Different games. Different defenses. Different outcomes.

Ragas has been steadily improving, which is a good indication of a player who deserves a shot. One mistake, plenty of yards.

Week 1 @ Chargers:  4 runs for   9 yards
Week 2 Texans:           6 runs for 14 yards and 1 touchdown
Week 3 @ Bengals: 11 runs for 52 yards, 1 fumble
Totals:                          21 runs for 75 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 fumble

The point is that there remains a place on this LA Rams roster for a bigger, more powerful, and certainly more durable running back. Yes, the LA Rams had finally given the A.O.K. to put all three running backs who will likely make the roster: Cam Akers, Darrell Henderson Jr., and Kyrie Williams, into pads and called it all good. But all three now have durability concerns, and all three were injured before the season ever arrived.

I’m not opposed to the Rams’ bias toward smaller versatile running backs. I’m opposed to the team stocking only smaller running backs who have a history of injury exclusively.  One option is Ragas, a young running back who is both durable and very inexpensive. Will he claim a roster spot? Perhaps not. But he has definitely earned  a spot on the Rams