Rams’ joint practice with Saints could decide more than any preseason snap

The Los Angeles Rams do not play starters in preseason games. Many of their key backups don't, either. So the team uses joint practices and scrimmages as a proxy for the missed reps. In these scripted and controlled encounters, the non-preseason participants can play contact football at a higher level than is possible against teammates in practice.

The team emerged with impressive results from the first joint scrimmage with the Dallas Cowboys prior to their preseason opener. But the second such scrimmage with the Los Angeles Chargers was cancelled due to player injuries on the other LA team. So, the team was left to scramble in a last-ditch effort to fill the empty slot in their schedule.

The newly scheduled joint practice/scrimmage will be held against the New Orleans Saints on Thursday. The event will be held in Carson, CA, a midpoint between the two teams' offseason sites. There are no details about fan attendance, but due to the rush to coordinate the event, it's expected that this may be a closed session.

What will Rams discover against the Saints in joint scrimmage?

The Rams continue to forge chemistry with the players who are currently healthy. That means that it's another opportunity for QB Jimmy Garoppolo and LT DJ Humphries to prepare for a more probable starting role in Week 1 against the Houston Texans. But they won't be shouldering the burden alone.

The team appears to be very pleased with its wide receiver tandem of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. But the third wide receiver is still up in the air. So, look for reports about either Tutu Atwell or Jordan Whittington to gauge which of the two may be pulling ahead.

Is this an opportunity for rookie TE Terrance Ferguson to finally get some reps in a more realistic competition? He had been nursing an injury, but this could be an ideal opportunity to get some meaningful work in the books.

In terms of the defense, the team appears to be aiming at starting Nate Landman alongside Omar Speights. But it'll be interesting to see if either Chris "Pooh" Paul Jr. or Shaun Dolac can make any headway. They haven't just been impressive; they both offer a tremendous range and better pass coverage skills.

As far as the edge rushers, LA has Byron Young and Jared Verse inked in. But the rotation behind them is unsettled. Who can show up and lay claim to defensive snaps at the outside linebacker position?

The team's secondary has a lot to prove this season. One player who has been doing so is Emmanuel Forbers, but a recent hamstring injury has slowed his momentum. Can he get back on track against the New Orleans Saints? This is an ideal opportunity for the entire secondary to show up.

This is the last chance to fine-tune starters and key players before the season arrives. As such, it's vital that as many players get a chance to get meaningful snaps. It may not reveal innovations for the 2025 season, but it will shine a light on who will be counted on to deliver. And that makes this a very important event. As always, thanks for reading.

You should check out other Rams schedule articles