Rams fans can circle another name to watch in 2nd preseason game vs Saints

The absence of veteran edge rusher Tomon Fox from the Los Angeles Rams' preseason mix against the Chiefs slipped mostly under the radar. He's not a drafted rookie, like Ty Simpson, Max Klare, or CJ Daniels, whose debut answered months of anticipation. 

He was not a training-camp headliner like Wesley Bailey, who did appear in the game. He hasn't populated Rams headlines as a guy fighting to keep his job, like Xavier Smith. 

While it likely went unnoticed by more than a few viewers, Fox's absence from Saturday's game was unusual for a non-starter, non-roster lock player, per the Rams' preseason tendencies. On Monday, head coach Sean McVay explained his absence as arising from "a family situation," calling Fox a player he's excited to see on the field in Game 2 against New Orleans. 

Rams fans should share his interest. Although Fox probably won't make the roster, he is a player worth watching as the Rams evaluate their options to round out the edge-rusher rotation behind Myles Garrett, Byron Young, and Josaiah Stewart.

Strong preseason can give Tomon Fox an edge on Rams depth chart

Making the 53-man roster will be an uphill battle for Fox. Right now, Desjuan Johnson holds what feels like a firm claim to that likely final spot on the depth chart. 

Johnson has become a steady backend contributor, logging between 101 and 120 defensive snaps in each of his three seasons, recording five sacks and five tackles for loss in his career. In 2025, he also stepped into a part-time special-teams role. He's appeared in six playoff games. 

While an underdog to leapfrog Johnson, Fox, who was signed to offset the injury loss of Eddie Walls III in June, is a fifth-year veteran himself. Especially in an all-in season, his experience could give him a similar advantage in the Rams' edge-rusher competition.

For the Giants, Fox recorded 45 tackles and two sacks, while logging nearly 1200 total snaps in a roughly equal distribution between defense and special teams.

As a lower-ceiling, higher-floor backup, Fox is worth getting a look at in the preseason as a potential injury replacement or in case the Rams for some reason roster five edge defenders. It's not completely impossible: Garrett, who played defensive end in Cleveland, can certainly slide down onto the defensive front from time to time, creating extra snaps at outside linebacker in LA's base 3-4 scheme. 

At 6–foot-2 and 245 pounds, Fox clearly fits the OLB mold (Johnson can toggle between both DE and OLB). He should have the agility to come off the edge as well as drop into coverage, although he only drew five targets during four seasons with the Giants, per Pro Football Reference. In 2023 and 2025, he contributed primarily on special teams.

Johnson may have locked up a roster spot with a solid showing last week, but Fox can still show what he's got as he competes to be the next man up on the depth chart. August 22 against the Saints will be Rams fans' first real glimpse at Fox in Blue and Yellow.

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