The Los Angeles Rams made a half-dozen roster moves ahead of their preseason finale against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday.
The team announced that it signed cornerback Steven Gilmore and outside linebacker Devean Deal, while also activating offensive lineman Justin Dedich off the non-football injury list.
To make room on their roster, the Rams placed cornerback Zech McPhearson and outside linebacker Keir Thomas II on injured reserve. They also waived inside linebacker Daniel Rickert with an injury designation.
Thomas and Rickert both sustained their injuries in the Rams’ 34-0 win over the New Orleans Saints last week. McPhearson didn’t play in the game despite having no reported injuries, but it’s now clear he was dealing with something.
Because they were placed on IR before final roster cuts, McPhearson and Thomas are slated to miss the entire 2026 season unless they reach an injury settlement with the Rams.
With the Rams likely holding out all of their starters against the Chargers, they needed to add some depth to their 90-man roster. They did just that with the signings of Gilmore and Deal, and could even make additional moves before Thursday’s game.
Alex Cook calls pick-six against Saints ‘a blessing’
One of the highlights from the Rams’ blowout win over the Saints was Alex Cook’s pick-six in the third quarter. He intercepted Spencer Rattler at the goal line and returned it all the way for a touchdown.
Cook signed with the Rams in late July after spending some time in the United Football League and was thrilled to have a moment of that magnitude.
“It’s definitely a blessing,” Cook said. “I mean, coming from the UFL, I dreamed of being back in this back in the NFL, and my last game in the UFL, I was grateful to get a pick-six. I was dreaming, like, ‘Man, if I could get one more pick-six back in the NFL, that would make my whole life.’ And thank God I was able to get one today.”
Cook began his NFL career with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and spent parts of two seasons there before having brief stints with the New York Giants and Chicago Bears. Cook most recently played for the Birmingham Stallions of the UFL.
He has been a pleasant surprise for the Rams and is trying to make their initial 53-man roster as a depth player. Even if he doesn’t make the final cuts, L.A. could still try to sign Cook to their practice squad.
