As the NFL’s roster churn continues, the Rams and 49ers are dealing with a problem the rest of the league doesn’t have to think about: whether a new practice squad addition can actually get on the plane to Australia.
Because both teams will open the season overseas, every late roster move comes with an extra layer of logistics. The players who have spent the offseason with the clubs have already been preparing for international travel, but 49ers general manager John Lynch said the challenge is different when the team starts bringing in outside help.
“We’re bringing practice squads from the outside. I’ve never asked a potential practice squad, ‘Do you have a passport?’
Those are questions we have to ask now,” Lynch said. “One guy who’s coming into town, his parents are next daying it, because it was at the house.
So there’s a lot of little logistics like that that are complicated by this, but we’re embracing it, we’re having a plan for everything, and we’re getting it done.”
Lynch said the 49ers’ behind-the-scenes staff has been pushed into overdrive to get the team ready for what will be the longest road trip in NFL history.
“There’s a lot, and I think it’s an opportune time to give a shout out to our staff,” Lynch said. “Everything from getting visas, which is much more complicated than I knew, they’ve been outstanding.
They’ve worked in conjunction with the league but most of the work has been done on our part and hats off to those guys for pulling off a monumental task, and it’s not done yet. There’s a lot.”
In Other News...
Rams Just Sent A Clear Message About Who Leads This Team
Leadership in Los Angeles now has a much broader cast. The Rams named a record 11 team captains for the 2026 season, and the group says plenty about where the organization wants its authority to live: with established veterans, trusted voices and the players expected to set the tone every week. Matthew Stafford, Kyren Williams, Tyler Higbee, Coleman Shelton, Davante Adams, Myles Garrett, Kobie Turner, Nate Landman, Quentin Lake, Trent McDuffie and Joe Cardona make up the list, giving the roster a mix of offensive, defensive and special teams anchors.
The most notable twist is the arrival of Garrett and McDuffie into that leadership circle after recent trades and acquisitions, a sign that the Rams are not waiting for newcomers to settle in before handing them real responsibility. For a team that has leaned heavily on veteran presence in recent years, expanding the captain group this far feels less like a formality and more like a statement about how the locker room is being organized heading into the season. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Left Themselves Dangerously Thin Where They Could Least Afford It
The Rams went into roster cuts with a little room to maneuver at wide receiver and tight end, but not nearly as much margin at cornerback. By carrying only four cornerbacks on the initial 53-man roster, they made a clear choice about where they wanted their depth to live, and it was not in the one spot where injuries and matchups can turn a secondary upside down in a hurry. Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson remain key pieces at the position, but the overall numbers leave little cushion behind them.
For a defense that has to survive a long season against varied passing attacks, the balance looks precarious. Los Angeles waived other coverage options and may have to lean on the practice squad to patch holes if the cornerback room gets tested, which is exactly the kind of scenario teams try to avoid when setting their opening roster. The concern is not just talent, but how quickly the Rams could be forced to reshuffle if the position takes even a modest hit. [Read more 🡒]
Rams 53-Man Roster Created A Few Immediate Depth Concerns
The Rams initial 53-man roster came into focus with a few decisions that offered a clearer picture of where the depth chart stands heading into the season. Undrafted free agent Wesley Bailey made the cut, as did running back Ronnie Rivers, while the team also chose to carry seven wide receivers, a group that includes Tutu Atwell and Smith. On the defensive side, Aaron Donalds return has already altered the shape of things for Braden Fiske, adding another layer to how the front is being arranged.
The roster also came with some immediate concern up front, where offensive linemen Justin Dedich and Keagen Trost were placed on injured reserve. Those moves leave the Rams thinner than they would like in a spot where insurance matters, and the decisions on players such as Dylan McMahon, Bill Murray, Cam Lampkin and Hamilton show how tight the margins were throughout the final cuts. For a team trying to settle its depth before the season starts, the opening roster is in place, but the ripple effects are still being sorted out. [Read more 🡒]