Rams Rookie Impresses McVay, Earns Praise, But Enough For A Roster Spot?

The Los Angeles Rams and the other 31 NFL Franchises must have their rosters cut down to 53 players by Tuesday, August 27th. And like the others, the Rams have several difficult decisions to make to get to that number. One position that has been made one of the most difficult to predict is linebacker. Omar Speights’ preseason play has injected him into the mix for the 53-man roster.

Los Angeles Rams Coach Speaks Highly of Omar Speights

The Rams have usually carried four inside linebackers through the season. Based on Sean McVay’s stance on NOT playing starters in the preseason the Rams have made their minds up on three of the four players to fill out that position group. Ernest Jones, Christian Rozeboom, and Troy Reeder didn’t play a snap through the three preseason games.

Speights and Jake Hummel were rested for the entirety of the third and final preseason game against the Houston Texans. This means they are the front-runner for the last spot. After the game, McVay was asked specifically about how Speights has performed this offseason.

“He got better and better. He’s got the ability to contribute defensively but also on special teams. He’ll have a major role on special teams. He’s really done a great job with Chase [Blackburn] and Chile [Davis] and [John Streicher] of earning their trust. I think he’s gotten better and better in these games that you saw. Obviously, he didn’t play today but the previous two games, you felt him out there and he was able to have good communication though the was productive in the run um and defend in the pass concept recognition. [I’m] excited about him. He did a really good job throughout camp.”

The former LSU Tiger led the team with 11 tackles, including eight STOPs through two preseason games. He also contributed two pressures resulting in two quarterback hurries. He made several plays on special teams, including a big hit to limit a potentially big punt return.

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