Takk McKinley could make Rams debut Sunday, Kendall Blanton also expected to play

[theramswire.usatoday.com] Takk McKinley could make Rams debut Sunday, Kendall Blanton also expected to play

Cameron DaSilva
September 23, 2022 12:10 pm PT

There are a whole lot of new (and familiar) faces in the Rams’ building this week after the long list of roster moves the team made. That group includes Takk McKinley, Malcolm Brown and Kendall Blanton.

McKinley and Blanton were signed to the active roster from other practice squads, and the expectation is that both could play on Sunday against the Cardinals.


“He could play,” Sean McVay said of McKinley. “It’s a good thing to be able to get Takk in here. Obviously, Raheem has a familiarity with him.”

It sounds even more likely that Blanton will be active, especially in wake of Brycen Hopkins’ suspension. Blanton is the only other tight end on the active roster besides Tyler Higbee.

“He will. That’s the plan right now,” McVay said of whether Blanton will be active. “A guy that knows the system, that’s played at a high level throughout the playoffs. Similar to Malcolm, being able to get somebody back in here with just some of the situations and scenarios that have come up, we felt that was the best thing and so it’s good to have Kendall back in here.”

McKinley could be the Rams’ fourth edge rusher behind Leonard Floyd, Terrell Lewis and Justin Hollins. The team waived Keir Thomas, who was previously the No. 4 option, so McKinley could naturally fill that role.

And Blanton would be the No. 2 tight end, though Liam Coen said Thursday that Roger Carter Jr. is expected to be elevated to the game day roster from the practice squad.

“Get Roger Carter up and do some things,” he said. “Trying to get him a little bit of access this week to practice and understand the game plan.”

The Rams are very shorthanded, with Cobie Durant and David Long Jr. ruled out, but they’ll be ready for Arizona on Sunday.