The Los Angeles Rams announced a series of roster moves ahead of their regular-season finale against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 18.
The team signed kicker Brett Maher and wide receiver Tyler Johnson to the active roster, and also added quarterback Dresser Winn to the practice squad. Defensive back Duke Shelley was also designated to return to practice from the reserve/injured list/
As corresponding moves, the Rams released long snapper Alex Matheson from the practice squad and transferred defensive back Shaun Jolly to the reserve/injured list.
The Rams brought back Maher after cutting the struggling Lucas Havrisik. Maher began the year as L.A.’s starting kicker and initially found success before a few costly misses led to the team making a midseason change.
Johnson was originally selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft and enjoyed his best season the following year when he caught 36 passes for 360 yards.
Winn began the season on the Rams practice squad and was elevated to the active roster before the team’s Week 9 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. He was released after that but now is back to where it all started.
Matheson spent all of one week on the Rams practice squad and has not appeared in an NFL game. As for Jolly, he played special teams in four games with L.A. this season.
Will Rams rest players against the 49ers?
Having already clinched a playoff berth after defeating the New York Giants and the Pittsburgh Steelers pulling off an upset over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 17, the Rams could potentially rest some key players against the 49ers.
With Johnson being signed to the active roster and Winn rejoining the practice squad, it is possible that Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp won’t see the field at Levi’s Stadium.
