NFL roster cuts 2013: Rams nearing 53 players

The St. Louis Rams have reportedly released 19 players. They only have one more move to make in order to be at 53 players by the 6:00 p.m. ET deadline, according to the Post-Dispatch.

Suspensions for Isaiah Pead and Jo-Lonn Dunbar give the Rams a pair of roster exemptions, at least while the players are forced to sit out. That mean the Rams entered the week only having to cut (or send to the PUP list or IR, which they did for one player) 20 players. It delays one cut through Week 1, while Pead is out, and another through Week 4, while Dunbar gets time off to learn about the importance of reading labels.

The most likely move is cutting offensive lineman Sean Hooey, according to the PD. He's been on the shelf for most of the preseason anyway, and was already seen as a longshot. That would still leave the Rams with ten offensive linemen, including two backup centers in Tim Barnes and Barrett Jones.

Of course, there is likely to be more roster shuffling after that. One position that could get a new face is quarterback. The Rams cut Austin Davis, leaving Kellen Clemens as the only other quarterback on the roster besides Sam Bradford. One name to keep an eye on is former Jets quarterback Greg McElroy.

St. Louis had some interest in McElroy as a potential seventh-round pick in 2011. But the New York Jets picked the Alabama product instead. Brian Schottenheimer was the Jets offensive coordinator at the time.

If the Rams were to sign McElroy, it might not mean the end of the road for Clemens. McElroy has thrown just 31 passes since being drafted. They could also opt to cut Clemens and bring him back after Week 1 to free up cap space, which is what they did last year.