Rams signal beginning of the end for two veterans with subtle roster moves

The toughest decisions for any NFL team are when to part ways with a player. And for the Los Angeles Rams, a team with so much success in recent history, those decisions are necessary now. It's not something we want to declare, but when NFL players age, injuries occur more frequently. And healing takes more time.

So two seasoned veterans, tight end Tyler Higbee and right tackle Rob Harencstin, find themselves on IR as the team prepares for Week 12.

They are joined on IR by standout safety Quentin Lake, who suffered a dislocated elbow and underwent corrective surgery.

Due to the rules of the NFL, players who are designated on injured reserve must be out a minimum of four weeks. That means that even with a miraculous recovery time, the team will need to wait for Havenstein, Higbee, and Lake through almost the entirety of November and December. The earliest these players can return is Week 16. But it would be surprising if anyone returns that quickly.

How will the Rams compensate for the loss of three key starters?

The Rams knew this was coming, and for the first time in a long time, it fees as though the team is actually well prepared to hand over the reins to the next iteration. It won't be easy by any means. But the team has struggled with injuries in the past. If the number of injuries is light and they do not hammer one position, Los Angeles should be able to weather this storm. Here's how:

1. Right tackle Warren McClendon Jr.

The team may not lose much by sliding swing tackle Warren McClendon Jr. in as the starting right tackle, Rob Havenstein. He did such a great job subbing in for Havenstein before the BYE that some suspected he might retain his starting role. Now, he returns to the role he seems to be ideally suited to perform.

The thing is, if McClendon plays well, will the team re-sign Havenstein? If he does not return, he will have played 14, 11, and now seven games respectively over the past three seasons. That seems like it's time to kick back and enjoy post-football life.

2. Tight end Terrance Ferguson

The selection of rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson in the 2025 NFL Draft was not disguised. The team chose a successor for tight end Tyler Higbee in the former Oregon tight end. But after 10 games, the rookie has hauled in just five of 11 passes for 138 yards and one touchdown. It's not very impressive, particularly in stark contrast to all of the praise he received in training camp.

Well, there are no dangling toes in the pool now. Ready or not, the team has to get Ferguson involved in this offense now. If suspicions are correct, he needs one game of solid work to break out.

But what of Higbee? He played 3 games last season, and may have capped 2025 with nine games. That seems like diminishing returns. He is due for a new contract for 2026. If it's not for a league minimum, I fear he won't be in the Horns next season.

3. Safeties Kam Kinchens, Jaylen McCollough

Despite losing secondary savant Quentin Lake early in the second half, Los Angeles rallied behind the remaining safeties Kam Kinchens, Jaylen McCollough, Kam Curl, and Josh Wallace. Because the team had opted to use six defensive backs in Week 11, Wallace was promoted from the bench.

In its base defense, the team still boasts Kam Curl and Kam Kinchens. And Jaylen McCollough, a shocking star from 2024, will likely slide in as a versatile defensive back now. From a high altitude, the secondary has adequate depth. Hopefully, the team will welcome back cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon soon to help navigate the final seven games.

Slot cornerback Roger McCarty could be part of the solution too. If the team needs additional reinforcements in the secondary, McCarty should be nearing a point of contributing.

What of Lake? When the young safety plays, he plays hard. But of 68 possible games in four seasons, he is likely to have played 50 games. The two most valuable abilities in the NFL are availability and durability. Is Lake worth an extension coming off elbow surgery? That's a tough call.

Los Angeles faces difficult decisions in 2026. But the outbreak of injuries now may force the team to fast-track those decisions. The future is now. Hopefully, the young and less experienced substitutes can step up. If they do, they will have earned the right to start next season.

As always, thanks for reading.