The Rams’ preseason approach usually tells you more than the box score does. When Sean McVay and company hold a player out, it often says plenty about where that player stands on the roster bubble - and Saturday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs offered a few clear clues.
Tyler Davis was one of the most notable absences, though his case never seemed especially complicated. After serving as the Rams’ fourth defensive lineman last season, he faced at least a little uncertainty because of how crowded that position group is.
That doubt can probably be put to bed now. Davis looks safe.
Linebackers Shaun Dolac and Grant Stuard also sat out, but their roster status didn’t seem to be in much danger anyway. Tight end Davis Allen missed the game because of an injury, which makes his situation a separate issue. And while tackle AJ Arcuri didn’t play, he still reads more like a cut candidate than a roster certainty.
Another absence that stood out was cornerback/slot safety Joshua Wallace. He came into the preseason opener looking like a strong bet to make the roster, and sitting entirely while Cam Lampkin got work only reinforced that view. Unless there’s an undisclosed injury involved, Wallace appears to be on track.
The most interesting name, though, was Ronnie Rivers.
Entering his fifth season with the organization, Rivers has carved out a role as a steady RB3 and special teams piece. He didn’t do much on offense last season, but he did return 16 kickoffs for 416 yards.
In 2024, he logged nearly 250 special teams snaps. The Rams know exactly what they’re getting: not a huge ceiling, but a reliable floor.
That matters in a season where the Rams may want dependable depth behind Kyren Williams and Blake Corum. Rivers’ absence against the Chiefs suggests he still sits near the front of the line.
At the same time, it’s not quite time to stamp him onto the 53-man roster. Jarquez Hunter, who ran nine times for 35 yards against Kansas City, essentially redshirted his rookie season and remains a real factor.
As a recent fourth-round pick, he’s the kind of player teams often keep around to see if the upside eventually shows up. He looks like Rivers’ clearest competition.
Undrafted rookie Dean Connors has at least gotten his name into the conversation after a strong preseason debut, but he’d likely need to back that up in Games 2 and 3 to truly push Rivers out. Hunter still seems to have the edge because of the draft investment and the possibility that there’s more there waiting to be unlocked.
So Rivers may not be a total lock, but he does appear to have the inside track. If the Rams decide to keep four running backs instead of three, his spot should be secure either way.
In Other News...
Aaron Donald Just Put Rams Week 1 Plans In Doubt
Aaron Donalds return remains in limbo as the Rams move closer to a Week 1 trip to Australia, with the star defensive tackle still going through his process on a possible comeback. Sean McVay said Donald has continued to work through the situation, and the veteran has already completed two workouts with the team in August, keeping open the possibility that he could still rejoin the roster.
Even so, the uncertainty is hard to ignore this late in the calendar. NFL insider Mike Florio suggested Donald may not be there when the Rams open the season overseas, and with no final decision made, the team is left waiting on one of the biggest questions on its early schedule. [Read more 🡒]
Sean McVay Sent Rams Fans A Clear Message About Ty Simpson
Ty Simpsons first preseason outing with the Rams gave the team exactly the kind of glimpse coaches want in August: calm execution, efficient throws and a quarterback who looked comfortable working within the offense. Against mostly lower-tier defenders, Simpson handled the moment well enough to turn heads, completing 21 of 25 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns while showing the sort of poise that can make a backup quarterback conversation worth following.
Sean McVay made clear after the game that the performance was about more than just a clean stat line, pointing to Simpsons decision-making, timing, accuracy and footwork as reasons for the encouraging showing. Even with that praise, the Rams know one preseason game does not settle anything, and the real question now is whether Simpson can keep stacking those traits when the competition gets faster and the looks get tougher. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Bubble Standouts Just Made Final Roster Cuts More Complicated
The Rams preseason win over the Chiefs gave a few fringe players a chance to turn heads at exactly the right time, and several of them did just that. Running back Dean Connors, tight end Mark Redman, receiver Brennan Presley and safety Nick Andersen all flashed in ways that are hard to ignore once roster decisions get serious, which is exactly what makes this stage of camp so tricky for coaches trying to sort out the back end of the roster.
Connors in particular added some urgency to the conversation with a performance that stood out among the group, while Redman, Presley and Andersen also put together outings that could keep them in the mix for a practice-squad role or draw attention elsewhere. The problem for all of them is the same: strong August tape does not always overcome crowded depth charts, and the Rams now have a more complicated final cutdown than they probably expected. [Read more 🡒]