St. Louis Rams: Several Roster Moves Made on Tuesday to Aid Ailing Offensive Line

In yesterday’s post-practice press conference, Jeff Fisher let it be known that he’d be looking outside the organization for some help along the offensive line.

Unfortunately, we’ve lost ‘J.B.,’ (G) Jamon (Brown) for the year. He’ll have season-ending surgery probably middle of this week. Last night, (T) Darrell Williams had season-ending surgery as well. He dislocated his wrist...

...So, at some point here we’ll be placing on injured reserve both J.B. and Darrell, which means our intention is to bring up (T) Isaiah (Battle) off the practice squad. Then we’re currently looking at other options right now. I don’t have any other information for you. We’re discussing stuff with our pro scouting department to see what our options are to get some depth in here and potentially some practice squad help.

And true to his word, that’s exactly what the team has done.  The Rams made several moves on Tuesday afternoon, including placing Brown and Williams on IR, ending their season.

Additionally, the Rams did promote Isaiah Battle - who they nabbed in the 5th round of the 2015 Supplemental Draft - to the active roster.  Why hadn’t this happened sooner?

Fisher weighed in...

From a conditioning standpoint and a lower body strength and overall strength standpoint, he’s much further ahead than he was when he got here. He wasn’t in good shape when he got here for obvious reasons, of supplemental and so we had to get him in shape. He’s done a really good job in the weight room. He has a much better feel for what we’re doing. He’s got really long arms. He’s athletic. So, I spoke with him today. He’s a snap away from playing.

They also added a few names unfamiliar to the team, signing offensive lineman Eric Kush and Brian Folkerts to the active roster.  In order to create a spot for Folkerts, the team released defensive tackle Doug Worthington.  Jim Thomas - of the Post-Dispatch - noted that Worthington could be added back to the practice squad, as the team also cut Gerald Rivers. They also added offensive lineman David Arkin to the practice squad.

Eric Kush

Recently signed [and released] by the Texans, Kush was drafted in the 6th round of the 2013 NFL Draft [170 overall].  He played his college ball at California [PA].  He’s played in only three games since being drafted, and has started in only one.

In a little over two years, he’s made the practice squad or active roster for the Chiefs, Buccaneers, Panthers, Texans, and now Rams.

Brian Folkerts

Ability to play both center and guard, Folkerts was an undrafted free agent in the 2012 NFL Draft.  He played college football for Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas.  He’s played in 26 games since being drafted, but has started in none.

Since joining the league, he’s made the practice squad or active roster for the Saints, Panthers, 49ers, and now Rams.  For a brief period he played for the San Jose SaberCats of the Arena Football League.

David Arkin

Also a guard, David Arkin was added to the practice squad today by the Rams.  He was drafted in the 4th round of the 2011 NFL Draft [110th overall] out of Missouri State.  He’s played in only one game since being drafted.

In his 4+ year career in the NFL, he’s been on the roster in some capacity for the Cowboys, Dolphins, Seahawks, Colts, and now Rams.

In other news, regarding players who might be getting shuffled into the mix, Jeff Fisher added that center/guard Demetrius Rhaney could be in the mix.  He also stated that Garrett Reynolds - who started against the Bears last week - has the ability to play right tackle.

With the move to shelf Jamon Brown, both of the Rams starting guards - to include Rodger Saffold - are lost for the year.

And the Rams’ seemingly never-ending offensive line woes continue...