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4 Rams on roster bubble heading into preseason Week 3
By: Andrew Ortenberg
The preseason is beginning to wind to a close, and soon the Los Angeles Rams will have a series of tough calls to make. The roster will need to be trimmed nearly in half in order to get to 53 by cut-down day.
Here are four notable Rams who are in danger of not making the team if they don’t step it up over the next couple of weeks.
1. RB Justin Davis
Davis flashed in the first preseason game, but a hamstring injury has set him back. Rookie John Kelly’s strong preseason has likely pushed him into lock status, and Davis’ fate will likely be determined by how many running backs the Rams opt to keep. For reasons that aren’t entirely clear, Malcolm Brown seems to still be well ahead of Davis on the depth chart.
The extent of Davis’ injury is unknown, but getting back on the field soon will be vital to his roster chances. If he can get back in time to make an impression in at least one of the final two games, he should have a very good shot at making the team.
2. DT Dominique Easley
Just activated from the PUP list, Easley doesn’t have much time to make up lost ground. Easley missed all of 2017 with a torn ACL, and as such, he’s never played for Sean McVay. While Easley has been recovering, the defensive line has gotten significantly more talented around him. A former first-round pick, Easley has the talent to make an impact, but his roster spot isn’t guaranteed.
Easley is going to resume practicing this week, but it’s unclear if he’ll be able to play in the remaining preseason games. At this point, it seems unlikely he suits up, and he’ll be one of the biggest names to look out for on roster cut-down day.
3. WR Mike Thomas
Thomas entered the offseason firmly on the roster bubble, but has been making a strong case so far. Despite poor quarterback play, he’s managed to look good in the preseason and the coaching staff is reportedly very high on him. As such, he’s probably put some distance between himself and the slew of other young receivers vying for the final roster spot and slots on the practice squad.
That’s assuming the Rams keep six receivers, as the five ahead of him seem to all be locks. Still, despite appearing to have the advantage, it wouldn’t be a total shock if Thomas is ultimately left on the outside looking in. The competition is so crowded between Thomas, Fred Brown, Steven Mitchell, KhaDarel Hodge, and JoJo Natson, and all of them have flashed at some point. Who gets the final spot will be one of the most interesting things to watch on September 1st.
4. Sean Mannion
It might be beating a dead horse at this point, but it’s worth pointing out that the Rams’ backup quarterback situation is far from settled. Once thought to be a lock to backup Jared Goff in 2018, Mannion is no longer certain to make the roster due to uninspiring preseason play.
Current third-stringer Brandon Allen put some heat to Mannion’s feet with a strong first game but regressed heavily last week. Mannion is probably still the favorite, but it won’t be at all surprising if Allen leapfrogs him, and the next two weeks will crucial in determining how it all works out.
4 Rams on roster bubble heading into preseason Week 3
By: Andrew Ortenberg
The preseason is beginning to wind to a close, and soon the Los Angeles Rams will have a series of tough calls to make. The roster will need to be trimmed nearly in half in order to get to 53 by cut-down day.
Here are four notable Rams who are in danger of not making the team if they don’t step it up over the next couple of weeks.
1. RB Justin Davis
Davis flashed in the first preseason game, but a hamstring injury has set him back. Rookie John Kelly’s strong preseason has likely pushed him into lock status, and Davis’ fate will likely be determined by how many running backs the Rams opt to keep. For reasons that aren’t entirely clear, Malcolm Brown seems to still be well ahead of Davis on the depth chart.
The extent of Davis’ injury is unknown, but getting back on the field soon will be vital to his roster chances. If he can get back in time to make an impression in at least one of the final two games, he should have a very good shot at making the team.
2. DT Dominique Easley
Just activated from the PUP list, Easley doesn’t have much time to make up lost ground. Easley missed all of 2017 with a torn ACL, and as such, he’s never played for Sean McVay. While Easley has been recovering, the defensive line has gotten significantly more talented around him. A former first-round pick, Easley has the talent to make an impact, but his roster spot isn’t guaranteed.
Easley is going to resume practicing this week, but it’s unclear if he’ll be able to play in the remaining preseason games. At this point, it seems unlikely he suits up, and he’ll be one of the biggest names to look out for on roster cut-down day.
3. WR Mike Thomas
Thomas entered the offseason firmly on the roster bubble, but has been making a strong case so far. Despite poor quarterback play, he’s managed to look good in the preseason and the coaching staff is reportedly very high on him. As such, he’s probably put some distance between himself and the slew of other young receivers vying for the final roster spot and slots on the practice squad.
That’s assuming the Rams keep six receivers, as the five ahead of him seem to all be locks. Still, despite appearing to have the advantage, it wouldn’t be a total shock if Thomas is ultimately left on the outside looking in. The competition is so crowded between Thomas, Fred Brown, Steven Mitchell, KhaDarel Hodge, and JoJo Natson, and all of them have flashed at some point. Who gets the final spot will be one of the most interesting things to watch on September 1st.
4. Sean Mannion
It might be beating a dead horse at this point, but it’s worth pointing out that the Rams’ backup quarterback situation is far from settled. Once thought to be a lock to backup Jared Goff in 2018, Mannion is no longer certain to make the roster due to uninspiring preseason play.
Current third-stringer Brandon Allen put some heat to Mannion’s feet with a strong first game but regressed heavily last week. Mannion is probably still the favorite, but it won’t be at all surprising if Allen leapfrogs him, and the next two weeks will crucial in determining how it all works out.
