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Los Angeles Rams News & Rumors

Rams LT Alaric Jackson Issued Two-Game Suspension

August 23rd, 2024 at 2:38pm CST by Adam La Rose

Alaric Jackson will not be available at the beginning of the season. The Rams left tackle has been issued a two-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Jackson does not have a prior history of league discipline. His absence will be felt up front by the Rams considering he served as the team’s starter on the blindside in 2023. His level of play at left tackle demonstrated his value on a new deal, and he was tendered as an RFA at the second-round level in March. Signing that one-year tender set Jackson up for $4.89MM in 2024.

The former UDFA will not be paid while serving this ban, however, reducing his earnings for the coming campaign. Jackson made 12 appearances and six starts across the 2021 and ’22 seasons, proving himself to be a key member of Los Angeles’ plans up front. He overtook Joe Noteboom on the depth chart on his way to earning first-team blindside duties. The latter is under contract for one more year, and he is a prime candidate to fill in for Jackson to start the year.

Noteboom agreed to a pay cut in March, a sign he could find himself on the free agent market in 2025. Today’s news could open the door to starting duties – albeit briefly – though, and a strong showing could help Noteboom’s value to the Rams or an interested team next spring. With Matthew Stafford (36) again set atop quarterback depth chart, the play of Los Angeles’ O-line will remain a critical factor in the team’s offensive success in 2024.

Jackson, 26, missed considerable training camp and preseason time as one of several Rams linemen who suffered an injury this summer. Given a week-to-week timeline at the start of August, his health should not be a question mark by the time the regular season starts. It will not be until Week 3, however, that Jackson will be eligible to make his season debut.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/22/24

August 22nd, 2024 at 6:39pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Thursday’s minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

  • Activated from active/PUP list: OL Yosh Nijman
  • Signed: LB Aaron Beasley

Chicago Bears

  • Signed: WR Peter LeBlanc, RB Jacob Saylors
  • Waived/injured: TE Giovanni Ricci

Cleveland Browns

  • Reverted to IR: LB Brandon Bouyer-Randle

Dallas Cowboys

  • Released from IR via injury settlement: DE Shaka Toney

Green Bay Packers

  • Signed: DL Keonte Schad

Kansas City Chiefs

  • Reverted to IR: WR Jaaron Hayek

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

  • Signed: TE Isaac Rex
  • Waived: DL Micheal Mason

Los Angeles Rams

Minnesota Vikings

  • Signed: RB Mohamed Ibrahim, OL Chuck Filiaga
  • Reverted to IR: OL Jeremy Flax, S Najee Thompson

New Orleans Saints

  • Reverted to IR: C Sincere Haynesworth

Washington Commanders

Nijman underwent surgery to address a leg injury, and despite Dave Canales indicating the free agency pickup was a ways away from returning, he is back at practice barely a week later. It remains to be seen if Nijman will be able to suit up in Week 1, but he has some time here. The Panthers signed the ex-Packer blocker to be their swing tackle.

Grant will be able to suit up later this season, depending on the terms of the injury settlement. This transaction moves Grant off the Falcons’ roster. The former All-Pro return man has not played since the 2021 season, stacking the odds against him. He is going into what would be an age-32 season.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/20/24

August 20th, 2024 at 6:47pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are today’s minor transactions:

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

  • Reverted to IR: LB Zeke Vandenburgh

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

San Francisco 49ers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Free Agent

Strong was a surprising release by the Cardinals during the regular season last year. At the time, Strong was coming off of his strongest NFL campaign, but head coach Jonathan Gannon claimed that the release was what was “best for the team.” While we still don’t know the nature of the suspension, or whether or not it’s even related to his January release, we are aware that he will miss three games.

Rams QB Jimmy Garoppolo Addresses Health, Free Agency

August 17th, 2024 at 8:26pm CST by Adam La Rose

After being benched in favor of Aidan O’Connell midway through the 2023 season, it was clear Jimmy Garoppolo would need to find a new team in free agency. The veteran passer wound up taking the Rams’ backup gig, a move he recently reflected on.

[RELATED: Garoppolo To Serve Two-Game PED Suspension]

Garoppolo noted the presence of starter Matthew Stafford and head coach Sean McVay as key factors in his decision to sign with Los Angeles during an interview with The Athletic’s Jeff Howe (subscription required). The 32-year-old took a one-year deal with a base value of $3.18MM to serve as Stafford’s No. 2 this season. He noted that other teams had interest in him, but a decision to join the Rams was made rather quickly with an agreement being reached on March 20.

“This place allows you to be yourself, too, which is different than other places I’ve been,” Garoppolo said about his new employer (while declining to go into further detail on his previous stops). “You’re getting pressed with a sense of urgency but in a good way… They do it in the right way here. They push you positively.”

The former second-rounder did fill the role of Tom Brady New England successor he was drafted to hold, but he made 55 starts across six seasons with the 49ers. Brock Purdy‘s emergence made Garoppolo expendable, though, and he signed with the Raiders last March. That move had him lined up for starting duties under Josh McDaniels, but Vegas’ decision to start over on the sidelines and in the front office (not to mention Garoppolo’s latest injury issues) left O’Connell atop the depth chart to close out the season.

Now, Garoppolo will spend at least one year attempting to remain healthy and in doing so provide the Rams with an experienced option if Stafford, 36, misses time. The latter had his contract restructured this summer, but the team views his future on a year-to-year basis. It is therefore uncertain who will be under center for Los Angeles in 2025, but in Garoppolo’s case a return to health ahead of the coming campaign carries signficant value on its own.

“It’s really nice having a healthy offseason,” he said. “I haven’t had one of those in awhile. The foot surgery was tough last year. For anyone who’s ever been through that, that wasn’t a fun recovery, but I feel like I’m back to myself. Being in this role, I get to experiment with some things, being with the 2s… I haven’t had that in a little while, so it feels nice to get back to that.”

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/14/24

August 14th, 2024 at 9:20pm CST by Ely Allen

Wednesday’s minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Dallas Cowboys

  • Signed: C Cohl Cabral
  • Waived (with injury designation): DE Shaka Toney

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Indianapolis Colts

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Washington Commanders

Cabral joins the Cowboys after UFL stints in Birmingham and Michigan. He adds more depth to the team’s offensive line after the team lost Chuma Edoga in their first preseason game and saw Earl Bostick helped off the field today. Toney suffered a groin injury, leading to this injury waiver, but could return to the team should he clear waivers.

Powers-Johnson was on some concerning ground with how much time he had missed with a concussion, but the Raiders saw him return to practice today.

The 49ers are adding some significant depth on the defensive line in Williams, who has vast starting experience in the NFL. Cutting Turner could mean that the return of Dre Greenlaw may on a better timeline than expected.

Rams Waive K Tanner Brown; Rookie Joshua Karty Wins Kicking Competition

August 13th, 2024 at 9:43pm CST by Ben Levine

The Rams have settled on their starting kicker. The team announced that they’ve waived Tanner Brown, meaning sixth-round rookie Joshua Karty has won the kicker competition.

Karty is coming off a standout career at Stanford. The kicker earned a pair of first-team All American nods while converting 85 percent of his field goal attempts and 98.6 percent of his extra point tries. That performance helped elevate him above the standard grouping of undrafted kickers, with Karty being the first kicker off the board (and one of only two overall alongside Cam Little) during the 2024 draft.

The rookie had an especially strong showing during the Rams’ preseason opener. Karty connected on both of his field goal attempts plus the game-winning extra point. Most notably, he got all of the team’s looks at the position, so the writing was on the wall for the other kicker on the roster.

Brown went undrafted out of Oklahoma State last offseason. He spent the entirety of his rookie campaign on the Rams practice squad, failing to leap the likes of Lucas Havrisik and Brett Maher. Brown should get another shot following 2021 and 2022 campaigns where he nailed 88.6 percent of his FG tries.

WR Tavon Austin Retires

August 13th, 2024 at 4:38pm CST by Adam La Rose

Tavon Austin‘s time in the NFL has come to an end. The veteran receiver and returner announced his retirement on Tuesday.

The 34-year-old has not played since 2021, but he continued to draw interest over the past two years. Workouts in October 2022 as well as last September did not produce agreements, however. With the start of the 2024 campaign approaching, Austin will turn his attention toward his post-playing days.

“I wasn’t sure if I was ready to give up football,” the former first-rounder’s statement reads in part, “and it has been one of the most challenging decisions I’ve ever made. But after an incredible ten years, I’m retiring from the NFL… Football didn’t always love me back, but it will always be my first love! I will forever cherish the time I spent in the NFL… Just like my seasons, they come to an end, and it’s time for me to enter my next chapter in life.”

Austin entered the league with high expectations as a No. 8 overall pick of the Rams. His most productive season as a receiver came in 2016 when he posted 509 yards and three touchdowns. While his output on offense did not live up to expectations, he did carve out a notable role as an impactful returner. His third phase contributions helped land him on the PFWA’s All-Rookie team in 2013.

The West Virginia alum racked up at least 1,009 all-purpose yards in three of his first four seasons, returning one punt for a touchdown each season from 2013-15. Austin was dealt to the Cowboys ahead of the 2018 season, but his two-year tenure with the team did not produce a regular role on offense. That remained the case in 2021 during his stint with the Jaguars.

Austin caught on with the Bills in the summer of 2022, but he did not survive roster cutdowns. That resulted in a brief period on the team’s practice squad, but in October he was let go. Free agency has not produced a deal since that time, marking an end to his NFL tenure. Austin will depart the league with 118 combined regular and postseason games to his name and roughly $41MM in career earnings.

Rams Looking At Matthew Stafford As Year-To-Year Proposition

August 12th, 2024 at 9:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

Much of this offseason’s Rams-Matthew Stafford negotiations appeared to stem from the quarterback wanting more security beyond 2024. The resolution brought a different result, calling the talented passer’s Los Angeles future into question.

The team moved $5MM from future years into 2024, benefiting the 16th-year veteran now rather than later. Although Stafford saw a $4MM 2025 roster bonus become part of his $40MM guarantee package on this revision, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler notes the Rams are still viewing this partnership through a year-to-year lens. The former Lions mainstay’s contract — a four-year, $160MM deal agreed to following Super Bowl LVI — still runs through 2026.

After a concerning 2022 packed with multiple injuries, Stafford rebounded to lift what had been viewed as a retooling Rams team back into the playoffs. The team returns Stafford’s receiving corps from last season, which is poised to include a healthy Cooper Kupp, and did not let its QB’s contract matter drag into training camp like a few other NFC situations. As of now, the Rams believe Stafford is still playing at a high level and want him back beyond 2024, Fowler adds. But injuries have become a regular issue for the cannon-armed QB, making retirement a subject that will be monitored from the team’s side.

Stafford, 36, has deflected retirement rumors in the past and has seen QBs play well into their late 30s and, in some cases, past 40. Sean McVay also said the Rams are content with Stafford as long as he wants to play. This might not be a matter the Rams need to worry about just yet. After all, ex-McVay staffers in Atlanta are preparing to coach a soon-to-be 36-year-old Kirk Cousins — who just received a $100MM practical guarantee — coming off Achilles surgery. But Stafford is obviously on the back nine of his career.

Only that $4MM roster bonus is guaranteed beyond 2024, but the Rams would face a $49.33MM dead money bill if Stafford retired after this season. His 2025 cap number is scheduled to be $49.67MM. That would set an NFL record, but we are close to seeing the bar move here. Deshaun Watson is on the cusp of playing on a $63.77MM cap number, while Dak Prescott — absent an extension — is at $55.13MM. Daniel Jones and Kyler Murray join Stafford in being set to play on $45MM-plus cap figures this season.

While Jared Goff has rebounded in Detroit, Stafford played the lead role in pushing Los Angeles’ 2021 effort to the mountaintop. He also received, believe it or not, his first original-ballot Pro Bowl invite last season, ranking sixth in QBR as well. The Rams should remain in good hands as long as their starter is healthy, though Fowler adds the Jimmy Garoppolo addition generated some attention — despite the former 49ers starter’s rough Raiders year — this offseason.

Taking over for Carson Wentz as the latest McVay QB2 reboot candidate, Garoppolo will have a chance to stabilize his career in L.A. Baker Mayfield‘s L.A. stint did not generate a strong free agent market, but it provided some momentum after a disastrous Panthers campaign. Garoppolo’s contract expires in March, though the 32-year-old passer becoming an immediate fit with McVay would naturally attract mutual interest in a reunion. This could depend on Stafford’s plans, as Garoppolo should still stand to have some options in 2025.

Eventually, the Rams will need a true heir apparent. For now, they are fine with Stafford. They spent big on guards (Kevin Dotson, Jonah Jackson) to help protect their centerpiece player. This situation will still be one to monitor, especially if another Stafford injury leads to Garoppolo playing time.

Rams TE Tyler Higbee Likely To Miss Regular Season Time

August 12th, 2024 at 11:10am CST by Adam La Rose

Tyler Higbee suffered an ACL tear during the Rams’ wild-card loss, and he has remained sidelined during training camp. The veteran tight end should not be counted on to recover in time for Week 1.

Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic notes the Rams expect Higbee to miss time during the fall (subscription required). That comes as little surprise given the timing of his injury; moving him to the reserve/PUP list would ensure a four-week absence at the start of the year. Higbee is projected to miss at least that much time as he continues to recover, Rodrigue writes.

Higbee has served as a full-time starter since his second season in the league. His eight-year career has been played exclusively with the Rams, and he has posted between 495 and 734 yards each year since 2019. The 31-year-old is under contract for the next two years on his current pact, so it would be logical from the team’s perspective to stick to a cautious recovery approach.

Los Angeles signed Colby Parkinson in free agency. The former Seahawk inked a two-year deal worth $22.5MM to make the intra-divisional move, and he is in line to serve as starter while Higbee is on the mend. Parkinson, 25, saw an uptick in playing time over the past two seasons after primarily being used on special teams during his first and second Seattle campaigns. He will look to offer a pass-catching option to complement Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua during the early portion of his Rams tenure.

The rest of the Rams’ tight end depth chart includes 2023 fifth-rounder Davis Allen and former trade acquisition Hunter Long. Both members of that pair are likely to see playing time at the start of the season in particular while Higbee rehabs. At some point in 2024, though, the latter will be expected to return to action as a key member of Los Angeles’ offense.

QB Nick Foles Announces Retirement

August 8th, 2024 at 10:10am CST by Sam Robinson

Nick Foles did not play last season, and the former Super Bowl MVP will not attempt to return to the league in 2024. The veteran quarterback announced his retirement after 11 seasons Thursday.

Turning 35 this offseason, Foles spent his most recent NFL campaign with the Colts. That 2022 season was far from his best work, and Indianapolis released him along with Matt Ryan in 2023. Foles will certainly be better remembered for his other stints, most notably his work in Philadelphia.

The virtuoso display the then-Carson Wentz backup offered in the 2017 NFC championship game and then Super Bowl LII led to the Eagles winning their only Super Bowl title and claiming an NFL crown for the first time since 1960. Foles did not have as much luck as a team’s preferred starter, but he also submitted a quality late-season relief effort to extend Philly’s title-defense season into the divisional round. Foles walks away having played for the Eagles, Rams, Chiefs, Jaguars, Bears and Colts.

Foles’ Eagles run began when the then-Andy Reid-run team used a third-round pick on the Arizona alum. The Eagles had traded would-be Donovan McNabb heir apparent Kevin Kolb to the Cardinals in 2011, and as injuries continued to hound free agency pickup/extension recipient Michael Vick, Foles stepped in. Foles’ first Philly stint included 24 starts, including a 2013 outing in Oakland that featured the 6-foot-6 passer tie the NFL record with seven touchdown passes, and a playoff berth. Foles was at the controls during Chip Kelly‘s 2013 debut, which produced an NFC East title and a narrow wild-card loss. Kelly’s one year in charge of personnel, however, resulted in Foles’ exit.

Kelly shipped Foles to St. Louis for Sam Bradford, whom the Eagles — after Howie Roseman regained the GM reins once Kelly was fired — traded after one season. Foles said he considered retirement following a rough Rams stint, which involved a benching and then a release. He resurfaced in Kansas City, backing up Alex Smith, and fetched a two-year, $11MM deal to back up Wentz. That turned out to be one of the most important QB2 acquisitions in NFL history.

Wentz’s ACL and MCL tears sidetracked what looked like an MVP season, and Foles struggled early in replacing the ascending starter. This led to the Eagles memorably being an underdog No. 1 seed in the divisional round. Foles silenced doubters by dominating to close out the Eagles’ banner postseason. Submitting 352- and 373-yard showings against the Vikings and Patriots, Foles threw six TD passes — and memorably caught another — to seal the Eagles’ championship. A statue now exists in Philadelphia because of Foles’ “Philly Special” offering.

Following another successful finish replacing Wentz, Foles saw his starter run end quickly. The Jaguars regretted the four-year, $88MM deal they authorized in 2019, benching him for Gardner Minshew before a 2020 trade with the Bears. Foles replaced Mitchell Trubisky early that season but was back on the bench during the stretch run. The Bears, who reworked Foles’ contract upon acquiring him, released the QB — who had become the team’s third-stringer following the Justin Fields draft choice — in 2022.

Thanks largely to the Jaguars contract, Foles earned more than $87MM in his career — a journey that included 58 starts, two trades and three releases. Although consistency eluded Foles, his Eagles accomplishments will certainly be remembered fondly.

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