THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Rams made 36 moves on Friday and Saturday, trimming their roster to 53 players and keeping Aaron Donald on a roster-exempt list. Here’s a closer look at the final moves:
Most significant move: The Rams kept only eight offensive linemen, three of them rookies. Tackles Cornelius Lucas and Darrell Williams were among players let go, leaving rookie Joseph Noteboom, a third-round pick from TCU, to back up left tackle Andrew Whitworth. Coaches touted Noteboom’s development at tackle and guard throughout the preseason. Fourth-round pick Brian Allen from Michigan State and sixth-round pick Jamil Demby from Maine also made the cut. Right guard Jamon Brown is expected to rejoin the 53-man roster after he serves a two-game suspension.
Shields makes a comeback: Cornerback Sam Shields made the cut after sitting out the 2017 season and most of 2016 because of concussions. Shields will add depth in a position group that includes All-Pros Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters. In six seasons he had 18 career interceptions and 67 pass deflections. Shields intercepted his first pass since 2015 in a Week 3 preseason game against the Houston Texans.
Hemingway let go: The Rams cut tight end Temarrick Hemingway. A sixth-round pick in 2016, Hemingway saw limited time his rookie season and was expected to break out in 2017 before he suffered a broken fibula during the preseason. Hemingway attempted a comeback but was plagued by dropped passes throughout training camp. Johnny Mundt, who spent most of last season on the practice squad, earned the third roster spot behind Tyler Higbee and Gerald Everett.
Rams moves:
Waived (28): QB Luis Perez, TE Temarrick Hemingway, TE Henry Krieger-Coble, WR Fred Brown, WR JoJo Natson, WR KhaDarel Hodge, WR Steven Mitchell, RB Nick Holley, RB Larry Rose, C Jake Eldrenkamp, C Aaron Neary, OT Darrell Williams, OG Jeremiah Kolone, DT Omarius Bryant, DT Chunky Clements, DT Lord Hyeamang, DT McKay Murphy, DE Marcus Martin, DE Brian Womac, LB Tegray Scales, LB Ejuan Price, DB Ramon Richards, DB Dominique Hatfield, DB Steven Parker, DB Nate Holley, DB Curtis Mikell, DB Taurean Nixon, K Sam Ficken
Terminated vested veteran (1): OT Cornelius Lucas
Injured reserve (2): DE Ryan Davis, DE Matt Longacre
PUP (1): OLB Ogbonnia Okoronkwo
Waived/injured (3):WR Kendal Thompson, DB Afolabi Laguda, LB Travin Howard
Suspended (1): RG Jamon Brown
Roster exempt (1): Aaron Donald