Latest flurry of Rams roster moves create dream and nightmare scenarios

While not getting nearly as much media attention as some other NFL teams, the 12-5 Los Angeles Rams have been plagued with a cascade of injuries that have crippled the team down the stretch. The Rams roster lost up to three starting offensive linemen, two top-notch starting receivers, and a versatile defensive back who made Chris Shula's squad hum along.

And it just so happens that the team welcomed back tight end Tyler Higbee, and is about to welcome back wide receiver Davante Adams and safety Quentin Lake, too.

Thankfully, the offense reset in a thrilling eruption of offensive domination in Week 18, just as head coach Sean McVay has planned.

The return of Adams restores the red zone offense to its league-leading form. Los Angeles averaged more than 30 points per game, and Adams was a significant contributor to that lofty landmark. And with safety Quentin Lake returning to the secondary, the defense has another solid run defender and superb slot defensive back.

It's a dream come true for LA fans. So, where is the nightmare?

Rams special teams loses a special player.

It's fantastic that the team is getting healthy in time for the NFL playoffs. Unfortunately, making room to activate Lake from injured reserve meant sending the very promising inside linebacker Shaun Dolac to IR. That's a tough blow, as Dolac was one of the few stars on special teams on coverage units.

To restore depth at the ILB position, the team signed veteran ILB Ben Niemann to the practice squad.

Special teams have been a nightmare for the team all season long. The only special teamer remaining on the team since the start of the season is punter Ethan Evans. The team has swapped placekickers, long snappers, and even the special team coordinator.

The last thing that the squad needed was to lose its best tackler.

Ben Niemann may be new to Los Angeles, but he's not new to the NFL. Now in his eighth NFL season, he has four years with the Kansas City Chiefs, and a year apiece with the Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos, and Detroit Lions. He has even accumulated significant postseason work, both on defense and special teams.

Standing 6-foot-2 and tipping the scales at 235 pounds. This 30-year-old linebacker appeared in 102 games and started 25 of those contests. He is a solid backup, with a flash of a pass rush, a bit more ability at stuffing the run, and a bloodhound's nose for a loose football.

We'll have plenty to say about both the upside of Adams and Lake's return. But the loss of Dolac to a shaky special team is a nightmare that fans hoped not to face.

As always, thanks for reading.