- Rams rookie fifth round pick outside linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo hasn’t been able to see the field this year as he’s been sidelined with a foot injury, but could be making his return soon. Okoronkwo has been practicing with the team, and the Rams will decide soon when to bring him back according to Lindsey Thiry of ESPN. The Rams’ pass-rush has been lacking this year, and Okoronkwo could potentially provide a big boost. Thiry reports that Rams coach Sean McVay is high on the young edge player.
The Chargers’ viability in the Los Angeles market was an informal topic of discussion at recent league meetings, according to Seth Wickersham of ESPN.com. However, the Chargers are essentially locked into the city of Los Angeles, as the club agreed to a 20-year lease to share the Rams’ new stadium in Inglewood beginning in 2020, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
No owner officially broached the Chargers’ plans in Los Angeles at the NFL’s meetings, but there was reportedly concern after the team revised its revenue projections from $400MM down to $150MM. That alteration is likely due to lower ticket prices, as the Chargers recently announced plans for cheaper seats that come with personal seat licenses.
But sources tell Florio the Chargers don’t have the option to leave Los Angeles, barring an unforeseen breach of contract with Rams owner — and Los Angeles Stadium at Hollywood Park builder — Stan Kroenke. Not only did the Chargers sign up for a 20-year lease, but the club also has two 10-year options tacked onto the end of the deal.
Moreover, the Chargers have no incentive to back out of the stadium deal, as Florio explains. The Chargers won’t pay any construction costs for their new stadium, and won’t be responsible for any cost overruns. Instead, they’ll essentially be acting as a tenant of the Rams, not a co-owner.
We’ll keep track of today’s practice squad moves here:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: OL Kyle Friend
- Released: OL Will House
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: LB Jermaine Grace
- Released: LB Richie Brown
Houston Texans
- Released: DB Robert Jackson
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: G Zack Golditch
- Released: G Sean Harlow
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: OL Brandon Thomas
- Released: OL Michael Dunn
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: LB Travin Howard
- Released: DB Linden Stephens
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: DL DeShawn Williams
New York Giants
- Released: WR Kalif Raymond
New York Jets
- Signed: RB De’Angelo Henderson
- Placed on injured list: LB Harvey Langi
Philadelphia Eagles
- Released: LB Kyle Wilson
To make room for the addition of wide receiver Nick Williams, the Rams cut kicker Cairo Santos. This likely signals Greg Zuerlein will be ready to return this week.
Santos served as Los Angeles’ kicker for the past two games, making 5 of 6 field goal attempts and 5 of 6 extra points. While it’s possible the Rams could seek another replacement kicker, in the event Zuerlein still isn’t ready to come back, Sean McVay‘s hinted at his top kicker being on the cusp of a return from his groin injury for multiple weeks now.
Santos played three seasons with the Chiefs, but a groin injury he sustained during warmups before a game in Los Angeles last season sidetracked his career. The Chiefs soon added current kicker Harrison Butker, and Santos — who did kick in two games for the Bears last season as well — has not been able to land a full-time gig since.
The Brazilian specialist took over Zuerlein-fill-in duties from Sam Ficken, whom the Rams cut earlier this season. Zuerlein has now missed five of the Rams’ six games since suffering an injury that kept him out of Week 2.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
The Rams are set to sign wide receiver Nick Williams, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter). Williams, a former UDFA of the Redskins, has history with coach Sean McVay and could contribute quickly thanks to his familiarity with the offensive system. 
Cooper Kupp is expected to miss at least one game, so the Rams were in need of support. If Williams is on the active roster, he’ll have an opportunity to contribute this Sunday against the 49ers.
Williams appeared in two games for the Titans this season, but was let go earlier this month after dropping a would-be go-ahead touchdown pass against the Bills. It was a bad play for the 27-year-old (28 in November) and he’ll seek redemption in Los Angeles.
The 6-0 Rams will rely on Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods as their top receivers while Kupp is out, but Williams will be among the depth options on hand.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein is expected to miss at least one more week while dealing with a groin injury, head coach Sean McVay told reporters, including Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
Zuerlein suffered his injury during pregame warmups prior to Week 2, but given his skill and recovery timeline, Los Angeles opted to not place him Zuerlein on injured reserve, which would have mandated an absence of at least eight games. Instead, the Rams went with Sam Ficken for two games, during which he converted only one-of-three field goals, before signing veteran Cairo Santos in advance of Week 5. Santos made both of his field goal attempts on Sunday, but missed one-of-four extra points.
Zuerlein, of course, is one of the NFL’s best kickers, and earned both first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in 2017. He ranked third last season with a 95% field goal conversion rate, and made six-of-seven attempts from 50+ yards. Per Football Outsiders, Zuerlein’s work on field goals and extra points added 11.3 points of field position, good for fifth in the league.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Here are today’s minor moves:
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: CB Jeremiah McKinnon
- Promoted from practice squad: RB Dontrell Hilliard
Dallas Cowboys
- Waived: S Ibraheim Campbell
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: RB David Williams
- Promoted from practice squad: TE David Grinnage
Los Angeles Rams
- Claimed from Ravens: CB Darious Williams
Minnesota Vikings
- Released: WR Tavarres King
- Waived from IR: DB Horace Richardson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Released: DE Will Clarke
- Promoted from practice squad: DE Demone Harris
Today’s minor moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: TE Keith Towbridge
- Released: CB Michael Hunter
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: LB Brandon Chubb
- Released QB: Connor Cook
Dallas Cowboys
- Released: RB Bo Scarbrough
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: RB Tra Carson, WR Keon Hatcher
- Released: RB Joel Bouagnon
Indianapolis Colts
- Waived: CB Lenzy Pipkins
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: TE Pharoah McKever
Kansas City Chiefs
- Placed On PS-IR: LB Robert McCray
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: OT Rick Leonard
New England Patriots
- Signed: RB Kenneth Farrow
New York Giants
- Signed: K Marshall Koehn
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: RB Matthew Dayes, OL Najee Toran, DB Tyvis Powell
- Released: DB Dexter McCoil, WR Frank Stephens
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: LB Nigel Harris
- Released: OL Coleman Shelton
Here are Monday’s practice squad decisions:
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: DT Christian Ringo
Denver Broncos
- Signed: NT Niles Scott
Detroit Lions
- Signed: TE Hakeem Valles
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: C Aaron Neary
New England Patriots
- Signed: DT Frank Herron, LB Calvin Munson
- Cut: RB Ralph Webb, DL Vincent Valentine
New York Jets
- Signed: DL Bronson Kaufasi
- Cut: T Dieguot Joseph
Here are Monday’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Waived: WR Tim White
Chicago Bears
- Signed: G Bryan Witzmann
Los Angeles Rams
- Claimed: CB Darious Williams
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: TE Anthony Firkser
- Waived: RB Dalyn Dawkins