LA Rams roster adds Mekhi Sargent, not Brandon Powell, for Week 14
by Bret Stuter of RamblinFan
After lighting up Week 13 with a huge 65-yard kickoff return, many expected the LA Rams to round out their 53-man roster by adding WR Brandon Powell this week. But that is not how events took place.
In a mild surprise, the team added RB Mekhi Sargent to the Rams roster. While the move does restore the running back depth to three rushers, the Rams wide receiver depth has now plummeted to just four healthy wide receivers.
Now don’t mistake this confusion over roster depth with discounting what Sargent brings to the table. He is very similar in shape and style to that of Darrell Henderson, even down to the 5-foot-8 and 208 pounds. He was a surprise cut from the Tennessee Titans, particularly after winning a roster spot as a UDFA. Now, he has a chance to compete for the Rams in their offense.
So where is the excess? The team typically carries four cornerbacks but has carried five since Darious Williams’ return to health. The team also has carried four safeties in the past, but the team is currently carrying six, having added both Antoine Brooks and Juju Hughes from the practice squad. Finally, the team has typically carried four outside linebackers but has carried five since adding veteran Von Miller to the team. That number will grow to six when the team returns Justin Hollins to the active roster.
The team is carrying four wide receivers, one tight end, and one running back on the practice squad.
More roster adjustments coming
The LA Rams needed to reinforce their running back depth due to the nagging set of injuries suffered by Darrell Henderson this season. Like it or not, he simply does not hold up well to a moderate to heavy workload. So far this year, he’s gotten 484 offensive snaps and 142 rushes. Those are career highs.
While I’m confident that Sargent will give the offense a viable option at running the football, the wide receiver depth is beyond alarming at this point in the season. With just four active and presumed healthy receivers, the Rams will be hard-pressed to show a strong rotation on game day. Is that what it will take for the offense to run a balanced attack?
Even if Brandon Powell does not come onto the field for the offense, he should be continuing his special teams’ role, which allows the Rams to keep Cooper Kupp off the field for punt returns.
Four wide receivers won’t cut it for the remaining five games of the 2021 NFL season. While it’s likely that the Rams will promote a player from the practice squad, is there more afoot here? Are the LA Rams gleaning the NFL Waiver wire for a player to add for their playoff run?
