Rams Make Surprise Signing of Former Seahawk Before Preseason Finale

With NFL roster cutdown day rapidly approaching (on Tuesday, August 27), most teams have already begun making cuts from their 90-man roster as they narrow down their roster battles. The Los Angeles Rams have done the opposite on Thursday, making a last-minute signing before their preseason finale.

The signing was also a surprising one — they poached a former division rival at a position that many would not consider one of need.

The Los Angeles Rams have added a sixth running back to their 90-man roster, signing SaRodorick Thompson. Thompson has been a free agent all summer after his most recent practice squad contract (with the Dallas Cowboys) expired after last season.

His only NFL game action came with the Rams' NFC North rival Seattle Seahawks. He didn't actually receive any carries though, playing just 2 snaps in his lone appearance.

Now I know your next big question (since your first one was "who?") is "why?"

And that's a fair question when you look at the Rams' running back depth chart. Why does a team with Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, Boston Scott, Ronnie Rivers and Zach Evans need a guy who no team even thought was worth bringing into training camp?

The most likely answer is that this signing isn't about any long-term roster implications. Thompson isn't suddenly fighting to make the 53-man roster as the RB3. This is all about simply having enough bodies in the preseason finale.

The Rams won't be playing their starters against the Houston Texans on Saturday, and Boston Scott and Zach Evans are the only two running backs expected to suit up.

So we can speculate that either the Rams want a third option to give those guys a breather or that one of Scott or Evans may be banged up and they need an insurance policy.

Given his struggles to even get a look all summer (and to stick around on any one practice squad last year), we not only shouldn't expect Thompson to make the 53-man roster, but it would also be a surprise if he ended up on the Rams' practice squad when all is said and done.

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