Getty Johnny Hekker warms up before the L.A. Rams' 2019 home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Los Angeles Rams have until 1 p.m. PT on Tuesday, August 31 to release 21 players to fulfill the NFL requirement of having 53 active players for the upcoming regular season.
The Rams already released six. And have already gotten the ball rolling before 9:30 a.m. PT on deadline day. Here’s where things now stand as of 12:15 p.m.:
‘Future is Bright’ IG Post Leads to Restructured Deal: Report
Longtime L.A. Rams punter Johnny Hekker posted this caption on his personal Instagram page: “Where my help comes from. Future is bright” while gazing up to the sky clad in his Rams helmet and practice uniform.
A first, the IG post sounded like a cryptic message of his departure from the team. But now, Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News reported the 10-year veteran of the Rams has restructured his deal.
If Cowboys were monitoring the Rams’ punter situation to see if Johnny Hekker would become available, little now to see. He restructured his contract and will remain in Los Angeles, sources said. Bryan Anger looks locked into Week 1 punter job for Dallas.
Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic confirmed the move on Tuesday afternoon. No official word on what the new deal entails.
But per spotrac, his current five-year deal would’ve allowed him to make $3,750,000 this season, then $4,064,715 the following year.
Hekker was absent from the last two preseason games due to being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. However, he did practice today.
So per team, Johnny Hekker is still technically on the COVID/reserve list but was out at practice, which team says is part of acclimation period but he is not yet able to practice.
Meanwhile, staying in the punter spot, here’s the reason why Hekker’s deal was restructured: Corey Bojorquez was dealt away, first broken by Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network.
The Rams sent the punter to the Green Bay Packers and a 2023 seventh round draft pick in exchange for a 2023 sixth rounder.
Preseason Standout Staying: Report
For anyone wondering about the fate of quarterback Bryce Perkins, looks like he’s got a future with the Rams.
First reported by Rodrigue, the Rams plan to keep three quarterbacks for the upcoming season – which in this case keeps the 2020 undrafted rookie on the 2021 roster.
The Rams have decided to keep three QBs on their initial roster, according to multiple sources with knowledge. That means former UDFA Bryce Perkins, who played and impresses nearly the entire preseason, will be on the initial 53-man roster along with QB2 Wolford and QB1 Stafford.
Perkins won over Ram fans with his flair for making plays with his legs and showing strong poise when lining up behind center. Per Pro Football Focus, the 24-year-old Perkins took 171 total offensive snaps in the trio of August games. Perkins combined for 251 offensive yards (201 passing) in the 17-12 preseason loss on Saturday, August 28 to the Denver Broncos.
List of Rams Released
Two Ram defenders – one who snatched an interception in one preseason contest and another who got one sack – hit the waiver wire first before 10 a.m. PT per reports.
Inside linebacker Christian Rozeboom was released, Rodrigue reported. Rozeboom is best known for this huge play in the Mile High City:
Come for the INT, stay for the celly 🤑
Rozeboom, who came to the Rams as a UDFA from South Dakota State, saw action on 77 total defensive plays in three preseason games (average of 25.6 plays per game) per PFF. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Rozeboom tallied seven tackles and the pick. The Rams, though, as noted by Rodrigue could still bring back Rozeboom on the practice squad if he clears waivers.
Meanwhile, via the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Rams released one member of their defensive line unit:
Banks finished with two sacks in the preseason, including this one shown via the Rams Twitter account.
Per PFF, the 6-foot-5, 270-pounder played in 80 total defensive snaps in the preseason, with his most action coming against the Broncos (34 total plays). However, Banks did not record a single sack or solo tackle in Denver.
Here’s the rest of the players waived by the Rams on Tuesday:
- Xavier Jones, RB
- Otis Anderson, RB/KR
- Trishton Jackson, WR
- Landen Akers, WR
- J.J. Koski, WR
- Kendall Blanton, TE
- Max Pircher, OT
- Earnest Brown IV, DE
- John Daka, DE
- Marquise Copeland, DT
- Micah Kiser, ILB
- Justin Lawler, OLB
- Kareem Orr, CB
- Dont’e Deayon, CB
- Jake Gervase, DB/LB
Note: Coleman Shelton was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Tuesday per the Rams website and does not count toward the roster limited until he is activated. Complete transaction list can be located here.
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Rams Roster Cut Tracker Day 2: Longtime Ram Restructures Contract