Rams' roster takes unexpected hit with two rookies already lost for season

The Los Angeles Rams' training-camp roster was already easily shy of its 90-man limit. After unfortunate injuries to two rookies, offensive lineman Chad Lindberg and edge rusher Eddie Walls III, they are now in the market to fill six open slots.

So far, Lindberg's injury remains undisclosed. Walls had his leg in an air cast as he was carted off the field, but no further details have emerged.

Players placed on injured reserve this early in the season are ineligible to return for the remainder of the year. With the Rams' top-shelf pass rush after trading for Myles Garrett, Walls was unlikely to make the roster. He is, though, a fundamentally sound player who can provide what the defense needs. If he makes a strong recovery, he could see rotational opportunities in the future.

Lindberg was a no-frills rookie option due to his dependability. Offensive linemen are best off remaining virtually anonymous, as they only get called out when they miss a block. Lindberg was rarely noticed, proving that he could handle his business throughout an entire game without incident. Like Walls, he looked like a player who could have earned a spot on the practice squad.

Rams GM Les Snead has more shopping to do

The Rams will likely shop quickly to replace Walls on the edge and Lindberg in the offensive trenches. Every day's delay means one less training session to get young players up to speed, a vital consideration if they are to have any hopes of making LA's roster.

The thing is, scrounging viable prospects from the remaining player pool could prove challenging. With 32 teams at or nearly at their 90-player limits, the list of worthwhile names is at its lowest. This year's undrafted free-agent cohort has been picked over and then scavenged again. Still, Los Angeles is never out of ideas or interesting prospects, so fans will soon be acquainted with new faces.

Unfortunately, Lindberg and Walls will face difficult rehabilitation periods before ever having a chance to compete. Walls, in particular, had a promising chance to turn heads in training camp and the preseason. For the Houston Cougars last season, he generated seven sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss. Lindberg spent three years as a backup at Georgia before he transferred to Rice and finished out his college career at North Carolina.

Hopefully both players heal up swiftly and find the necessary support to come back stronger than ever.

As always, thanks for reading.

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