Rams comeback candidate must make the most of last chance to prove himself

There is something about undrafted edge rusher Keir Thomas II that the Los Angeles Rams love. Although he has yet to sack an NFL quarterback, he is versatile enough to become a solid rotation piece. But he has a nagging concern. He is coming off a season-ending injury in 2025.

Nonetheless, general manager Les Snead re-signed Thomas for one more year, giving him a chance to alleviate those injury concerns during training camp. The first step is to show up and prove he is back to 100 percent.

The second step is to prove he is durable. That means he not only has to play at peak efficiency, but prove that he can remain in top condition throughout camp and into preseason.

Thomas is the type of underdog that fans naturally gravitate toward. He has played only 204 defensive snaps over the course of his career. He is coming back from injury. But nobody questions his infectious passion for the game, and fans love every iota.

Keir Thomas can steady nagging durability concerns in camp

The Rams' roster is unlikely to carry more than four edge rushers into the season. Three spots are already claimed by Myles Garrett, Byron Young, and Josaiah Stewart. So the final spot will likely come down to either Keir Thomas or converted interior defender Desjuan Johnson.

By every measure, Johnson has the edge. Johnson has played more defensive snaps, has five career sacks to Thomas' none, and has even contributed in the playoffs. With Johnson seated as the fourth edge rusher in the current rotation, it will be Thomas' task to unseat him.

But don't count him out.

Before his injury, Thomas was enjoying the best training camp of his career. Still, potential is a far cry from production. Thomas has one more year, one more chance, to set the record straight and show up. Even returning to the team's practice squad would, relatively speaking, be a setback. His back is against the wall.

Does that make him desperate? Perhaps. But if Thomas needed extra incentive, he's got it. And despite struggles to show up on game day, he is doing enough right for the Rams to keep bringing him back. Any defense could use his type of passion.

To get an opportunity, Thomas must show that he can be both sturdy and productive coming off a major injury. He'll get that chance in training camp starting later this month, and hopefully, he'll deliver.

As always, thanks for reading.

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