The Los Angeles Rams appear to be bracing for the absence of one of their starters, making a roster move for veteran Royce Newman before facing the Atlanta Falcons on “Monday Night Football” in Week 17.
That decision raised some eyebrows, but the Rams were not done.
It all comes as the Rams look to get back on track following their loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 16.
Ex-Packers OL Royce Newman Joins Rams
GettyRoyce Newman #64 of the Green Bay Packers waits to take the field against the Detroit Lions.
The Rams announced in a post on X on December 24 that they “Signed Practice Squad Veteran OL Royce Newman.”
Newman was a fourth-round pick of the 2021 draft, taken 142nd overall by the Green Bay Packers. He has started 24 games, making 52 total appearances during his four-plus seasons in the NFL.
Newman played in all 17 regular-season games during each of his first three pro seasons.
However, he has not played in a contest of consequence since Week 4 of the 2024 campaign, while he was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Newman has also spent time with the Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, and New England Patriots. He joins the Rams in light of head coach Sean McVay’s comments regarding starting right guard Kevin Dotson.
Dotson injured his ankle against the Seahawks in Week 16.
“I’m not going to make any game status updates,” McVay told reporters on December 22. “K-Dot got his ankle pretty good. It’ll be hard for him to make it this week.
McVay did say that Dotson was progressing, but Newman’s addition suggests the Rams have at least some inclination that the head coach’s assertion about the veteran guard playing remains unchanged.
Newman is still most likely a depth option.
The Rams have turned to Justin Dedich when left guard Steve Avila missed time earlier in the season, and could do so again if Dotson misses Week 17.
Rams Make Critical Decision on Roger McCreary
GettyRoger McCreary #21 of the Tennessee Titans celebrates an interception against the Denver Broncos.
LA also announced they had “Designated for Return CB Roger McCreary,” with the veteran returning to the practice field.
McCreary, whom the Rams acquired from the Tennessee Titans at the 2025 trade deadline, has been sidelined since Week 12. They have 21 days to make a decision, which would be into the playoffs.
However, the Rams may have already tipped their hand.
The Rams cut defensive backs Alex Johnson (from the practice squad) and Christopher Smith II, without making corresponding additions.
Smith, in particular, clears a path for the Rams to activate McCreary from IR and onto the active roster. The timing is encouraging, too, with the Rams facing a scrappy Falcons team that has won its last two games in Week 17 on “Monday Night Football.”
Johnson, a former undrafted free agent, re-signed to the Rams’ practice squad on Wednesday.
Rams Practice Indoors
GettyLos Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay looks on against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Rams have the luxury of simulating the environment they will face in Atlanta, and they did just that for their Wednesday practice.
This was not by design, though.
“Rainy weather has the Rams practicing under the cover of SoFi Stadium today,” TheRams.com’s Stu Jackson reported on X on December 24. “Sean McVay said they’ll most likely do the same Friday as well.”
The Rams play all of their home games at SoFi, predisposing them to the fast playing surface of Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
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