The Los Angeles Rams are again turning to familiar faces in their latest set of roster moves, as they make their final preparations for the Chicago Bears, whom they will visit in the NFC Divisional Playoffs.
Rams head coach Sean McVay and Co. are dialed in for this matchup.
Their moves, while noteworthy in their own right, also speak volumes about the rest of the Rams’ roster heading into the contest.
Rams Add 2 From Practice Squad
GettyTanner Ingle #34 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on against the Houston Texans.
The Rams announced in a post on X on January 17 that they “Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) S Tanner Ingle, ILB Elias Neal.”
Ingle, 26, is a third-year former undrafted free agent.
He has spent his entire NFL career in the Rams’ organization, but did not make his regular-season debut until the 2025 campaign. Ingle appeared in three games during the regular season and the Rams’ Wild Card Playoff win over the Carolina Panthers.
The “human missile,” as McVay has called him, has 3 total tackles between the regular and postseason.
Neal is a second-year former UDFA.
Unlike Ingle, Neal logged game reps during the regular season as a rookie, playing in six games for the Rams. He has played in two games this season. Neal has failed to record a stat during any game.
Both Ingle and Neal are primarily special teamers, though the former has seen snaps on the Rams’ defense this season.
Bears Face Quandary vs Rams
GettyCaleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears reacts against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wild Card Round.
The Rams’ roster is not the only one in a state of flux, with the Bears’ group still facing questions ahead of game day.
Rookie second-round pick and starting left tackle Ozzy Trapilo suffered a season-ending injury.
The Bears figure to turn to 2024 UDFA Theo Benedet to replace him, and they activated former fifth-round pick (2022) and ex-starter Braxton Jones from injured reserve this week. However, the Bears could have another plan in mind entirely.
The Chicago Sun-Times’ Brad Briggs noted Bears left guard Joe Thuney–a multi-time Super Bowl Champion and First Team All-Pro–could kick out to protect Caleb Williams’ blindside.
LA’s formidable pass rush is the impetus, along with Traplio’s injury.
For the Rams, that could already be a leg up. Thuney has experience making the move. Still, the Bears are seemingly already preoccupied with how disruptive Rams’ outside linebacker Jared Verse and the rest of the front could be.
Jared Verse Looking to Impact the QB
GettyJared Verse #8 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on before a game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Verse may be the Rams’ most polarizing player, drawing praise for being disruptive but criticized for not finishing with sacks as often as some would like. He is looking to do that against the Bears.
“When you get to him, you have to wrap him up. It’s not like any lunging. You can’t jump at him. He’s very athletic, he’s very nimble, he’s very able to get away from anything you bring to him. So, you have to just keep running your feet when you wrap him up. You can’t lunge at him. We’ve watched all the tape. We’ve watched games from their last playoff game to the first game of that season,” Verse told reporters of rushing Williams.
“He’s been doing it all season long. So, it’s impossible to say he won’t get away from one of us, but we all have to keep pursuing him and be able to make that tackle on him.”
Rams Add 2 Players in Divisional Round Roster Shuffle Before Bears Game