Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams adjusted their roster for their Divisional Playoff showdown against the Chicago Bears.
It is a matchup that, despite some potentially tricky hurdles, sets up nicely for the Rams, who boast the No. 1 offense in the NFL and, at one point late in the regular season, owned the top seed in the NFC.
They lost that spot, and to the Bears no less, but they can get much more with a win this week.
Rams Promote Pass Rusher
GettyNick Hampton #31 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on before a game against the Seattle Seahawks.
As McVay and the Rams begin their week of preparation for the Bears, LA announced in a post on X on January 13 that they “Signed from Practice Squad to Active Roster OLB Nick Hampton.”
Hampton, 25, was the No. 161 overall pick of the 2023 draft by the Rams.
He was a member of their active roster up until Week 15, when they waived him ahead of facing the Detroit Lions. They re-signed him to their practice squad before the game.
Hampton, whose initial departure was sparked partly by Rams teammate and fellow OLB Desjuan Johnson’s production, has not played in a game since Week 14 against the Arizona Cardinals.
Hampton has 10 total tackles in his 12 games played this season.
He has helped the Rams out on defense and special teams, logging 112 and 194 snaps, respectively, per Pro Football Reference.
Hampton’s return bolsters the Rams’ pass rush, which will have its hands full in the Divisional Round against elusive Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. However, Hampton has yet to record his first career sack and has just 1 pressure in three seasons, per PFR.
Homegrown UDFA DB Rejoins Rams
GettyAlex Johnson #36 of the UCLA Bruins reacts against the Boise State Broncos in the LA Bowl.
The Rams also announced that they “Signed to Practice Squad DB Alex Johnson,” bringing back another familiar face. Johnson is a second-year undrafted free agent out of UCLA and a native of Carson, California.
Johnson, 25, began his career with the New York Giants.
He has also had brief stints with the Indianapolis Colts and the Tennessee Titans in his still-young career.
Johnson has yet to get into a regular-season game. However, he recorded 7 total tackles and allowed three receptions for 39 yards on eight targets (37.5%) and had an interception for the Rams during the 2025 preseason.
Bringing Johnson back is a minor hedge amid the Rams’ latest issue on the roster.
Rams Make Unfortunate Roster Decision
GettyAhkello Witherspoon #4 of the Los Angeles Rams during the NFL playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings.
In their final move of the day, the Rams announced that they “Reserve/Injured CB Ahkello Witherspoon,” ending the rest of his season.
“Unfortunately, he ended up getting his shoulder bad,” McVay told reporters on January 12. “He’s going to be on IR. It was a tough, good tackle by him, but kind of reaggravated that same thing from earlier in the year. And so, he’ll end up being out. He’s the only guy that will actually miss the next [game]. He’ll be out for the remainder.”
Witherspoon initially suffered his shoulder injury in Week 2 of the regular season. He played in four of the Rams’ final six outings, allowing 64.3% completion on 14 targets while logging a 45.3% snap share on defense.
McVay and the Rams could very well tweak the roster multiple times over before game day.
Rams Add Young Pass Rusher, Homegrown DB in Divisional Round Roster Shuffle