Rams-Eagles gameday roundup: Week 4 roster moves, injury updates, and notes

The Los Angeles Rams kick off against the Eagles in Philadelphia at 10 AM PT, in need of a win because that's the 1-2 hole they've dug themselves. Back at home for the first time since Week 1, the 2-1 Eagles will want to banish the sour taste of a 27-7 embarrassment at the hands of the Bears on Monday.

With both teams banged up coming in, injuries won't be an excuse for either side. The Rams also made several roster moves during the week, waiving punt returner Xavier  Smith and placing tight end Terrance Ferguson on injured reserve. 

Table of contents, Rams (1-2) @ Eagles (2-1)

1. Notable Week 4 Rams injury updates 
2. Notable Eagles injuries
3. Rams' Week 4 roster moves
4. Rams-Eagles Week 4 prediction

On the bright side, receiver Puka Nacua and safety Kamren Kinchens are absent from the injury report and should be good to go. 

Here's an odd nugget: quarterback Matthew Stafford will seek his first win over the Birds in his fifth try since joining the Rams, and the franchise as a whole is 1-10 in its last 11 matchups versus Philly, a streak dating back to 2005 and the team's tenure in St. Louis.

Notable Week 4 Rams injury updates 

Josaiah Stewart - questionable with a groin injury 

A last-minute addition to the injury report, Stewart has been a vital part of the Rams' pass rush in Myles Garrett's absence. If he can't play, expect to see an extra dose of Wesley Bailey and Desjuan Johnson, with a possible cameo from Peterson. 

TE Terrance Ferguson - placed on IR

The Rams will now be without their breakout candidate and de facto No. 3 receiver for at least the next four games after Ferguson aggravated an existing ankle injury early in last week's game. 

DT Aaron Donald - ruled OUT with back soreness

Nothing too serious here. The unretired 35-year-old will take a seat in this one. 

TE Colby Parkinson - questionable with knee/shoulder injuries

Parkinson remains questionable after injuring his shoulder against the Broncos. He is also managing a nagging knee issue.

CB Jaylen Watson - ruled OUT with a shoulder injury

The good news here is that Watson remains off injured reserve. 

WR Puka Nacua, S Kamren Kinchens - no designation on final injury report

Head coach Sean McVay expects both starters to suit up after their respective two-game absences.

Notable Eagles injuries

WR DeVonta Smith, TE Dallas Goedert, LB Zach Baun, S Marcus Epps - all ruled OUT vs. Rams

Veteran tight end Zach Ertz has been elevated from the practice squad, along with TE Josiah Deguara. 

Smith's absence leaves Dontayvion Wicks, the former Packers receiver, and rookie Makai Lemon as the main pass-catchers to watch. Stopping the Eagles offense will be all about limiting running back Saquon Barkley.

Rams' Week 4 roster moves

Running back Dean Connors signed to the active roster

After elevating Connors from the practice squad to replace the injured Ronnie Rivers, the Rams gave the exciting rookie a spot on the 53-man roster. Although Connors will be limited to special teams - he returned a kick in Denver - and potential garbage-time carries, that's still something. It's his chance to make any decision a difficult one whenever Rivers is healthy enough to return from injured reserve.

Waived and re-signed safety Tanner Ingle to the practice squad

Just a piece of housekeeping after signing Connors. Ingle had spent the last few weeks on the active roster in a special-teams role. With Kinchens healthy and ex-Eagles safety Maximus Pulley joining the 53-man roster, Ingle is back on the practice squad after clearing waivers.

Waived punt returner/receiver Xavier Smith 

Head coach Sean McVay confirmed the rather sudden move Friday, which he said was not on the table when special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone spoke to the media a day earlier. McVay said the team will go with veteran Alex Bachman, elevated from the practice squad, as Smith's replacement at punt returner. Not great. 

Elevated returner/receiver Alex Bachman from the practice squad 

Bachman returned 22 punts for 124 yards (5.6 average) last season for the Raiders. He has five career catches for 43 yards. 

Elevated cornerback Cam Lampkin and edge rusher Darryl Peterson III from the practice squad 

Lampkin's promotion is no surprise after Watson's injury. With Emmanuel Forbes' struggles last week, Lampkin could see his first career defensive snaps, behind Trent McDuffie and Joshua Wallace as the primary cornerbacks. He last touched the field in 2024 as a rookie on special teams. Lampkin was a summer standout and enjoyed an excellent preseason. 

Peterson's elevation would seem to correspond with Stewart's injury - hopefully as a precaution only. The undrafted rookie was another preseason standout, awarded the game ball in the finale for his superb performance against the Chargers.

Peterson will most likely be used in a special teams role if Stewart can't go, though he could see a snap or two on defense if Johnson and Bailey aren't enough by themselves to replace Stewart and spell Byron Young at the other starting spot. 

Rams-Eagles Week 4 prediction

Fueled by desperation, the Rams do just enough to scrape by in a place that's never easy to play. Nacua and Davante Adams do their thing, and Stafford avoids gift-wrapping interceptions to Eagles DBs.

The defense has its hands full dealing with Barkley, but being able to home in on the ground game with Philly's stagnant, injured passing attack proves to be a decisive advantage.

And as underwhelming as special teams have been thus far, this Rams-Eagles matchup will not end on a would-be game-winning blocked field goal.

Final: Rams 24, Eagles 22.

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