Rams might've just cheated roster math to keep 54 players on a 53-man team

The Los Angeles Rams have a champagne problem as the 2025 preseason winds down, with tough decisions looming over who will stay on the roster. For casual NFL fans, trimming 90 players to the 53-man limit is just routine business. But for die-hard supporters who’ve invested in these players, the process can feel as gut-wrenching as an early playoff exit.

Over 41 percent of every NFL roster must be shown the exit. Not all of those players are unworthy. Some simply happen to play positions overloaded with talent, and the team can only keep so many. Others are released to preserve salary cap space. In the end, the reasons are often as simple as numbers and necessity.

This front office has been at this for a long time. And while every team faces the same roster limits, there are tricks of the trade that can help slide a player or two through the cutdown period without penalty. The Rams may be using a bit of sleight of hand by placing promising outside linebacker Keir Thomas on IR just as the preseason ends.

Rams OLB Keir Thomas adds an extra pass rusher for 2025

The team has far too much talent to squeeze easily into 53-man constraints. The 2025 draft strategy was more about adding depth players to upgrade the overall roster than to aim for Day 1 starters. One rookie who was added in the draft was Michigan OLB rookie prospect Josaiah Stewart.

Stewart joins a team with a rapidly improving pass rush. While the team lost veteran Michael Hoecht to free agency, several veterans returned from last season. One returning pass rusher, Thomas, has been outstanding so far in preseason games. While not lighting up the box score with stats, he shows up on every play as a force to be reckoned with, constantly pursuing the play to help his teammates.

Thomas appeared ahead of Stewart in the first unofficial Rams depth chart. The team was always going to keep its drafted rookie. But by sliding Thomas to IR now, they create the opportunity to have Thomas on IR for the first four weeks of the season before creating an open roster spot to restore him to the 53-man roster.

This move saves the Rams from having to release the promising Thomas while also keeping Stewart on the roster. It may not make headlines, but it’s another example of how general manager Les Snead quietly sustains talent across the depth chart. Thomas was a key contributor to their postseason defense last year, and with this under-the-radar transaction, he’s positioned to do the same again this season. As always, thanks for reading.

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