Los Angeles Rams coach Jeff Fisher expressed optimism about the possible return of linebacker Akeem Ayers, whose contract was terminated a day earlier.
“All of the decisions that you make are difficult, and some of the decisions that you make are not permanent,” Fisher said as part of his first comments to reporters since Saturday’s cuts were announced.
“That’s all I can say. Akeem has played well for us. We’ve enjoyed having him. But we’re kind of hopeful that this is not the end between us and Akeem. I’ll just say that.”
Ayers played in all 16 games for the Rams last season, when they were based in St. Louis. Ayers is an alumnus of UCLA and Verbum Dei High School in South Los Angeles who has played five seasons in the NFL.
Fisher said Sunday,”there’s probably going to be moving parts over the next couple of days” with the roster.
Offensive lineman Eric Kush, who was waived Saturday, was awarded to the Chicago Bears on a waiver claim today. Kush played seven games for the Rams in 2015 and three with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013.
“There will probably be more players here over the next few days that end up on someone else’s roster,” Fisher said at the team’s regular-season training base, California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks. “And if that’s the case, then we’re doing our jobs.”
The Rams added seven players to their practice squad, all of whom they had waived a day earlier in the cut to reach the NFL’s 53-player regular-season limit.
Running back Terrence Magee was the only player with previous NFL regular-season gam experience. Magee rushed for five yards on two carries, caught one pass for two yards and returned one kickoff for 28 yards in four games with the Baltimore Ravens last season.
Magee ran for a two-point conversion in Thursday’s 27-25 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in a preseason game.
Offensive tackle Isaiah Battle spent time on both the active roster and practice squad with the Rams last season after they used a fifth-round pick in the supplemental draft on him.
Five of the players were undrafted rookies — linebacker Brandon Chubb, defensive end Morgan Fox, running back Aaron Green, defensive back Michael Jordan and receiver Paul McRoberts.
Green caught what proved to be the winning touchdown pass in the Rams preseason opener Aug. 13 and ran 26 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown Thursday. He is a nephew of Gary Green, cornerback with the Rams in 1984 and 1985.
McRoberts caught a two-yard touchdown pass from Sean Mannion in the fourth quarter Thursday.
The Rams have three spots remaining on their practice squad.
—City News Service