The Los Angeles Rams have placed wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee), and offensive linemen Steve Avila (knee) and Joe Noteboom (ankle) on injured reserve. These players will be sidelined for at least four games, including contests against the Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears, and Green Bay Packers.
In response to these injuries, the Rams added offensive linemen Geron Christian and Dylan McMahon to the active roster. They also signed offensive lineman Ty Nsekhe and cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon to the practice squad.
To accommodate Nsekhe and Witherspoon, the Rams released safety Jason Taylor II and offensive lineman Blake Larson from the practice squad.
The Rams signed Dylan McMahon off the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad, which means they must keep him on their active roster for at least three weeks. McMahon, a sixth-round pick by the Eagles in the 2024 NFL Draft, adds depth at center, with Beaux Limmer stepping in as the starter to replace Steve Avila.
Geron Christian, who was most recently with the Tennessee Titans and last played for the Cleveland Browns, joins the team alongside Ty Nsekhe, who also played for the Browns last year and had a brief stint with the Rams in 2022. Both players provide depth on the offensive line as Alaric Jackson serves a two-game suspension and Rob Havenstein deals with a knee injury. Either Christian or Nsekhe could fill in for Joe Noteboom on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.
Ahkello Witherspoon, who led the Rams with three interceptions last season, returns to bolster the cornerback position. With Cobie Durant nursing a toe injury and Darious Williams on injured reserve, Witherspoon adds needed depth to the secondary.
Rams release Jason Taylor II & Blake Larson
Jason Taylor II, a seventh-round pick in 2023, spent most of last season on injured reserve and never played a game for the Rams. Blake Larson, an undrafted rookie signed during the offseason, failed to make the team’s 53-man roster.
