LA Rams roster takes 1 step ahead, 3 steps back, but it’s moving

The inability of the LA Rams roster to get healthy this season has entered the comical realm now. Even as many of the team’s top performers had been injured in such a way that a healthy return to play this season was often the case, as healthy players return, more take their place on the team’s Injured Reserve list.

The latest exchange finds that the LA Rams have designated starting offensive guard David Edwards to return to the active roster. If and when that takes place, the Rams’ offensive line will be at its optimal level for the rest of the season. Of course, that assumes no more player injuries, which is at best a 50/50 shot this season.

With offensive left tackle out for the season, and the news about both OL Chandler Brewer and OL Alaric Jackson, the Rams will likely start OT Ty Nsekhe at left tackle. Although a recently signed free agent, Nsekhe has already played 69 offensive snaps, committing three penalties but not allowing a quarterback sack.

Now, let’s focus on the LA Rams roster as a whole. Four players are moving this week. One player, OL David Edwards is stepping forward with positive progress. Three players: OL Chandler Brewer, OL Alaric Jackson, and All-Pro WR Cooper Kupp are stepping back onto the team’s IR roster.

So how will this team handle this development?

How will the Rams Roster change this time?

To address the sudden shortage of healthy offensive linemen, the Rams will almost certainly sign PS rookie A.J. Arcuri to the active roster. I would not be the least bit surprised to see the team sign their fourth free-agent offensive lineman, or perhaps sign a promising player from a practice squad.

In terms of the wide receiver position, I believe that the Rams can absorb the absence of Cooper Kupp, particularly now that the team has just welcomed back WR Van Jefferson, who is ideally suited to absorb many of Kupp’s routes.

One roster slot was claimed, but three roster spots were vacated.  Will the LA Rams be making more roster moves? Most likely.

The team will have one more swing to find some uncovered a diamond-in-the-rough this time. And while the circumstances so far have been horrible, the Rams front office has done an admirable job of restocking the offensive line with veterans who have been nearly as good as the players they had replaced, despite the hesitancy by the coaching staff to deploy them.