LA Rams line up multiple joint practices to prepare for 2024 season

The LA Rams 2024 training camp is nearing, and with it comes preseason, then the regular season. If that is not enough to make you salivate over the fact that football is closing in, then let's sprinkle a bit more spice onto your palate. With training camp, the Rams typically schedule joint practices at least one other NFL team. In 2024, the Rams have announced that they have scheduled a joint practice session with all three preseason opponents.

Okay. So now you are likely wondering, so what? Joint practices are just that, practices. But what they mean for the Rams is something altogether different. The dates for the joint practices are as follows:

Joint Practice Schedule

• Sunday, August 4 - @ Los Angeles Chargers
• Thursday, August 8 - @ Dallas Cowboys
• Thursday, August 22 - @ Houston Texans

The information was shared by Rams reporter Stu Jackson in a recent social media announcement:

So how do these data align with the LA Rams preseason schedule.

2024 Preseason Schedule

• Sunday, August 11, 1:30 pm PT - Dallas Cowboys
• Saturday, August 17, 4:30 pm PT - @ Los Angeles Chargers
• Saturday, August 24, 10:00 am PT - @ Houston Texans

As you can tell by comparing the schedules, the Rams will have accomplished two joint practices before competing in their first preseason game. The final joint practice will take place two days before the Rams compete in their final preseason game.

After that, the LA Rams, and all 31 other NFL teams, must get down to their 53-man active roster at 1:00 pm PT on Tuesday, August 29, 2024. That will mean the Rams releasing up to 37 players. Of course, all 32 NFL teams can sign 16 players to the team's practice squad starting at 9:00 am PT on Wednesday, August 30, 2024.

That is a lot of activity over the next two months.

Why are joint practices so vital for the Rams roster?

Just as a reminder, the Rams seldom allow starters, or even key rotational players, to compete in preseason games. That forces the team to use starters in pre-scripted scrimmages against other NFL teams in joint practices. That allows the Rams to control the risk of injury, while still allowing the team to get communication, cohesion, and coordination issues cleared up before the season begins.

While it may not seem logical, the results of the practice does seem to hold some merit for the team. Since hiring HC Sean McVay in 2017, the Rams have opened the NFL season with a record of six wins to just one loss. That's pretty strong evidence that whatever this team is doing, they are on the right track.

But if you are the type of fans who love to get the scoop about the team, you can simply pay attention to who competes in preseason games. Because the Rams hold starters out of preseason games, players who do compete are vying for backup and rotational roles on the roster. So if you do not see a player take the field, but have heard positive reports about that player in training camp, they are likely to have made the 53-man Rams roster.

Ready or not, here comes football once again.

Thanks for reading.