Releasing Tim Keenan III has to sting the Rams after Poona Ford's injury

The Los Angeles Rams understood the run defense's fragility last offseason. Adding veteran nose tackle Poona Ford was a stroke of genius, giving the team a true fireplug in the middle of the defense. Opposing offenses had to reroute traffic to either side and into the waiting arms of powerful edge rushers.

But Ford is now done for the year with a torn triceps. Playing nose tackle is brutally taxing. Ford routinely faced double teams. The physical toll requires adequate roster depth and rapid rotations so everyone stays fresh. That's why drafting nose tackle Tim Keenan III made sense for the Rams.

Keenan did not make the roster. Due to positional needs elsewhere, he did not last a week on the practice squad. Blame LA's veteran-focused roster. The decision to part ways with a drafted rookie highlights the challenge that now faces this team.

As other NFC West teams drafted top-tier rookie running backs - Jeremiyah Love to the Cardinals, Kaelon Black to San Francisco, Jadarian Price to the Seahawks - Keenan was the Rams' counter. Keenan was perfectly situated to learn from Ford and help absorb the load during the season.

Rams defensive line could use Tim Keenan right now

After being released, Keenan signed with the Las Vegas Raiders' practice squad. Meanwhile, Los Angeles has filled its roster gap by signing undrafted rookie nose tackle Jalen Hunt to its own. Based on draft profiles, the Rams likely downgraded their depth at the position.

There are more challenges to creating a balanced roster than merely navigating salary cap. The Rams skewed that balance by opting to roster five tight ends and seven receivers. Now they are paying for that excess.

Keenan was never going to see many snaps to start the season. But now that Ford and defensive tackle Kobie Turner have been sent to injured reserve, it would be nice to have a young nose tackle who already knew the coaches, the defense, and his teammates and was ready to step up. Keenan might have been that guy.

What about the players LA kept on the roster instead? Receivers Tutu Atwell, CJ Daniels, and Alex Bachman/now-49er Xavier Smith have combined for 142 offensive snaps. Tight end Max Klare has seen only one.

Four roster spots to average under 24 snaps per game. Keenan could have matched a portion of that. Of course, as the 232nd overall pick, Keenan wasn't going to take priority over Daniels (a sixth-rounder LA traded up to get) or Klare (second round).

But while hindsight is 20-20, the Rams could certainly use him right now. An injury-smitten defensive line will pose an even greater challenge in their attempt to get back to winning.

As always, thanks for reading.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow