4 winners and 2 losers from Rams' preseason win over Chiefs

The Los Angeles Rams fielded a mostly positive performance in their 20-12 win over the Chiefs to kick off the preseason. Ty Simpson shut down his critics. The defensive line did solid work, limiting the rushing attack and getting after Kansas City quarterbacks.

The offensive line did not allow a sack all game. Rookie pass-catchers Max Klare and CJ Daniels both made plays.

The Rams did suffer a few injuries, including to third-round tackle Keagen Trost, effectively the only dampener on a collectively sturdy showing.

With that, then, here are four of the many winners and two losers from Saturday's affair.

4 winners from Rams' preseason victory...

Quarterback Ty Simpson

The obvious choice. Completing 21 of 25 passes for 190 yards and two scores, the 13th overall pick did everything he needed to and more to quiet the skeptics who have raged against his first-round selection since the fact.

Return specialist/receiver Xavier Smith

After a rough training camp, Smith's roster spot was in question entering the preseason. The Rams had experimented with Kyren Williams as a punt returner in practice. Losing his special teams role could doom Smith's chances at cracking the roster.

Well, he checked all the boxes Saturday. His three punt returns on the day included a 40-yard scamper that set up the Rams' first touchdown. He also registered four catches for 26 yards. Consider him in the roster safety zone moving forward.

Edge rusher Desjuan Johnson

Already the favorite to land the fourth EDGE role on the roster, behind Myles Garrett, Byron Young, and Josaiah Stewart, Johnson solidified his case against the Chiefs. The fourth-year veteran came up with one of LA's two sacks and looked sharp overall.

Nose tackle Tim Keenan III

The other sack came from an unlikely source: Keenan, the Rams' seventh-round rookie. A pure nose, Keenan's job is stuffing the run, which he did effectively as well with five tackles on the day. Adding a sack - he had two all year at Alabama in 2025 - is just a bonus. On an overcrowded depth chart, Keenan may have surged ahead of second-year defensive tackle Ty Hamilton.

And 2 losers

Offensive tackle Keagen Trost

This is entirely due to his hamstring injury; he's already a lock to make the team. But regular-season reps are up for grabs with Alaric Jackson likely to be suspended, and Saturday was Trost's chance to boost his stock - and potentially make his case as a candidate to start in Jackson's place. Unfortunately, he didn't have much chance to do so after leaving the game early.

Tight end Davis Allen

Allen didn't play, and may not have even if healthy, but it can't be a comfortable feeling as he watches from the sidelines with a quad injury.

The tight-end room is already overflowing; adding Klare would tax the 53-man roster with five tight ends. Allen's quad issue doesn't sound serious and head coach Sean McVay has maintained that Allen is a key part of the Rams' plans. Still, there is a world where Allen begins the year hurt and never gets his job back.

In addition to Klare, who delivered an outstanding preseason performance, the Rams have several capable practice-squad candidates at the position, including Mark Redman and Dan Villari. Against the Chiefs, Redman tied for LA's longest pass play with a 23-yard reception. If the team opts to use Allen's spot on another position in greater need of depth, he may well prove dispensable entering his final year under contract.

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