3 Rams who should be thankful they haven't been released yet

The 9-2 Los Angeles Rams are improving each week. But as is often the case, some players are doing the heavy lifting, while others are not. While the team has been a pinnacle of loyalty to players who have been effective in the past, or simply tried hard, even loyalty has its limits in the NFL today.

But gratitude does not. In fact, being thankful is always in style. Thanksgiving Day, regardless of its flaws, does constitute an annual reminder to be grateful. For what? For good food, good friendships, good lives, and good conversation. Readers can be thankful for a great team and a great record, coupled with great football.

Still, there are others who have plenty to be thankful for today. They are the players who have not met expectations, who are still on the team. Those players are filling roster slots, but simply are not delivering. Who are they? They are . . .

3 Rams who should be thankful they haven't been released yet

3. Kicker Joshua Karty

Ironically, the team rummaged through a host of placekickers in the time before selecting Joshua Karty in the draft. Christopher Dunn, Tanner Brown, Brett Maher, and Lucas Havrisik were all given a chance to prove their prowess. Despite suffering through a worse performance, Karty remains on the roster. For how long?

Time will tell.

2. IOL Beaux Limmer

Following the career path of a free agent, inside offensive lineman Beaux Limmer followed up a promising rookie season by struggling mightily in his second season. Despite drawing upon plenty of experience and enjoying opportunities to sub in for injured teammates, Limmer's display was that of a player in full regression.

1. ILB Troy Reeder

Fans see inside linebacker Troy Reeder's performance through a different lens than the coaching staff. But when the team needed to promote a linebacker to sub in, the true standout was undrafted rookie Shaun Dolac. That was apparent even to the coaches, as it was Dolac who earned the lion's share of defensive snaps that day.

Reeder, despite having the most experience in the linebacker room, is now the fourth of four players. And keeping him on the roster negates the team developing other talented defensive players at the position.

Will they survive the season? Well, it's a bit late to expect wholesale changes. But even as everyone associated with the Rams organization has plenty to be thankful for, these three players have just a little bit extra.

As always, thanks for reading.