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The Los Angeles Rams announced they signed free agent offensive linemen Connor McDermott, Matt Kaskey and Alec Listrom.
In a corresponding move, the Rams waived tight end Neal Johnson and defensive back Kenny Logan Jr.
The signings come in the wake of a few injuries during training camp, as Jonah Jackson (shoulder), Alaric Jackson (ankle) and Rob Havenstein (foot) are currently sitting out.
All three are currently considered week-to-week, and while their respective injuries aren’t deemed to be serious, their designations suggest that they could miss Week 1 of the 2024 season and potentially beyond. The Rams have already been hit hard with the injury bug, and losing any of their projected starters could set them off on the wrong foot.
McDermott is the most experienced of three signings as he most recently played for the New England Patriots during the 2023 season, starting five of the six games he appeared in. Prior to that, he spent time with the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets. McDermott is making his return to Southern California as he played at UCLA before declaring for the 2017 NFL Draft.
McDermott has spent the most time playing either tackle spot, but also has some experience kicking inside to guard. If Havenstein or Jackson is forced to miss time, McDermott projects to step in.
Kaskey is no stranger to the Rams organization as he originally signed with them after going undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft. However, he was eventually cut and landed with the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad. Kaskey would spend three seasons with Carolina before signing with the Birmingham Stallions of the UFL in 2023.
Kaskey later ended up with the Los Angeles Chargers, but got waived again. He then went on to have a second stint with Birmingham this past year.
Lastly, Lindstrom also spent time in 2024 in the UFL though he played for the Memphis Showboats. Originally an undrafted free agent, he signed with the Dallas Cowboys out of Boston College and stayed on their practice squad before suffering two consecutive back injuries.
Lindstrom is traditionally a center, but could play inside at guard if needed.
Matthew Stafford believes Rams’ tight end room is deepest it’s ever been
With the Rams’ offensive line already ailing, head coach Sean McVay might need to lean on his tight ends more to help with blocking and pass protection. However, Matthew Stafford sounded like he has confidence in the group as he called it the deepest it’s ever been.
More must-reads:
- Dolphins OLBs coach Ryan Crow arrested on domestic battery charge
- Micah Parsons trade winners, losers: Packers fleece Cowboys for All-Pro
- The 'Most 1,000-rushing yard NFL seasons' quiz
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Micah Parsons had incredible reaction to Packers trade
The Green Bay Packers’ blockbuster trade to acquire Micah Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys altered the landscape of the NFL, and raised the expectations in Titletown for 2025 and beyond. Parsons immediately bolsters the Packers’ pass rush and, opposite Rashan Gary, has the potential to be a true difference-maker on a roster built to make a deep playoff run. Micah Parsons fired up after Packers trade While those inside the league both resoundingly praised general manager Brian Gutekunst and the Packers while lampooning Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, Parsons’ reaction of pure joy may have been best of all. Parsons has plenty of reason to celebrate between the change of scenery and the fact that he’ll collect $188 million with $120 million fully guaranteed on his new contract with the Packers. The All-Pro will also get the chance to exact some revenge on Jones and his former team when the Packers take on the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football in Week 4.
Jelena Ostapenko responds to racism allegations after post-match confrontation with Taylor Townsend
A heated post-match exchange between former World No. 5 Jelena Ostapenko and Taylor Townsend marred an otherwise action-filled fourth day of the U.S. Open on Wednesday. After Townsend defeated the 2017 French Open champion in straight sets, 7-5, 6-1, Ostapenko accused her opponent of unsportsmanlike conduct, pointing out that the American didn't apologize when a net cord helped her win a crucial point earlier in the match. The Latvian wrote on social media that Townsend "was very disrespectful" and didn't show the proper etiquette expected of a pro tennis player. "If she plays in her homeland, it doesn’t mean that she can behave and do whatever she wants," she wrote in a scathing address of Townsend. Townsend offered more details on their post-match confrontation, which led to some suggesting she was racially targeted. "She told me I have no class and no education, and to see what happens if we play each other outside the U.S.," Townsend revealed. Townsend refused to call Ostapenko a racist. "I didn't take it in that way," she said, via BBC. "But also that has been a stigma in our community of being not educated, and all of the things, when it's the furthest thing from the truth. Whether it had racial undertones or not, that's something she can speak on." Ostapenko was widely lambasted on social media, with even World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka asking her to control her emotions. The under-attack Latvian responded to allegations of her being a racist, while reaffirming her stance on Townsend disrespecting her during the match. "I was never racist in my life and I respect all nations of people in the world, for me it doesn't matter where you come from," she wrote on social media. Townsend will next face Russian teenage prodigy Mirra Andreeva in the third round. The World No. 46 American is trying to reach the fourth round of her home major for the first time since 2019.
Dolphins OLBs coach Ryan Crow arrested on domestic battery charge
Dolphins outside linebackers coach Ryan Crow was arrested early Friday morning on a domestic battery charge, as noted by NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe. The arrest by Fort Lauderdale police has led to a stay in Broward County, FL.’s main jail without bond, ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques adds. An on-scene investigation by police shortly after midnight led to the arrest on a misdemeanor battery charge. According to Louis-Jacques, the alleged victim was not seriously injured and declined attention. “We are aware of the serious matter involving Ryan Crow and currently gathering more information,” a Dolphins statement reads. “Ryan has been placed on administrative leave effective immediately. We have been in communication with the NFL and will reserve further comment at this time.” Crow began his pro coaching career in 2018 with the Titans. He served as a defensive assistant for two years in Tennessee before a single season as a special teams assistant. From 2021-23, he worked as the Titans’ outside linebackers coach. The 37-year-old joined Miami’s staff last offseason in the same role. The likes of Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips and Chop Robinson are set to handle key roles along the edge in 2025. The Dolphins may enter the campaign shorthanded on the sidelines based on the outcome of this case, however. Miami does not have a designated assistant outside linebackers coach, so it is unclear who would take over from Crow in the event he were to miss game time as a result of this alleged incident.
Micah Parsons Can Put Packers Over the Top
If there is one clear takeaway from the Packers‘ blockbuster trade to acquire Micah Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys, it is that Green Bay believes the All-Pro edge rusher is the missing piece. This is a roster built around a 26-year-old ascending quarterback who just over the course of two offseasons has added former rushing champion Josh Jacobs at running back and a potentially elite rookie wide receiver in Matthew Golden to his supporting cast. Signing Xavier McKinney helped turn the safety into an All-Pro in 2024, and sparked a renaissance in coordinator Jeff Hafley’s first season calling the Packers’ defense, but nothing moves the needle or raises the ceiling for Green Bay quite like dropping Parsons into the front seven. How Micah Parsons Elevates Packers’ Defense Packers head coach Matt LaFleur previously lamented not having an edge rusher disruptive enough to create the kind of havoc necessary to take the next step. “We’ve done a better job just with a lot of our games up front, just being a little bit tighter, not allowing loose pockets where a quarterback can get loose and carve you up with his legs,” LaFleur said recently, via ESPN. “Condensing the pocket, there’s nothing that quarterbacks hate more. It’s not comfortable for them when that pocket starts to get engulfed around them, and I think our guys have done a really nice job of understanding just how to keep that rush lane integrity.” Parsons, opposite Rashan Gary, and with ascending star Edgerrin Cooper at linebacker has the potential to be transformative for the Packers’ defense. Just how transformative? ESPN Stats and Information points out that the Packers finished 22nd in pressuring the quarterback last season, and according to Pro Football Focus, Parsons logged 70 total pressures, fifth-most in the NFL. “I’d expect the Packers to use Micah the same way Dallas did,” an NFL scout told me shortly after the trade. “But, Jeff Hafley may use him in space, too. He’s mainly going to be a pass rusher there.” If Parsons is as advertised, and the rest of the young talent around him on Green Bay’s defense continues to make strides, the Packers are going to be among the more complete teams and tougher outs in the NFL.
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