The Philadelphia Eagles cut ties with two championship-tested veterans this past Friday, and across the league, teams dealing with brutal injury woes, like the Los Angeles Rams, are absolutely taking notice. Wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and tackle Fred Johnson just hit the open market, an unexpected move that could be a crucial lifeline for a team desperate for depth after staying quiet at the NFL trade deadline.
Rams Are Banged Up and Betting on Youth
The Rams? Man, they are seriously banged up, especially on offense. They are set to play without Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, Jordan Whittington, Terrance Ferguson, and Steve Avila for the foreseeable future. Talk about a brutal injury report, and those return dates just keep shifting. So, what’s the plan for LA right now? They are opting to trust their young guns, like Konata Mumpfield, Xavier Smith, Brennan Presley, and Max Klare. They are also leaning hard on their savvy, trusted veterans such as Colby Parkinson, Tutu Atwell, and Tyler Higbee. But let’s be real, you can only stretch that thin for so long.
The Eagles’ Cast-Offs: Speed and Super Bowl Rings
Now, let’s talk about the guys who just became available. Marquise “Hollywood” Brown is a former first-round pick and a total speed demon. The guy is known for stretching the field, which could be massive for the Rams if Tutu Atwell isn’t able to go at any point. Brown’s resume speaks for itself: 91 career games, 72 starts, hauling in 371 receptions for 4,322 yards, and 33 touchdowns. He even has two rushing attempts this season. The dude’s got playoff experience too, even if he lost Super Bowl LIX to the Eagles while he was with the Chiefs. And get this, he played with Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson back then.
Then there’s Fred Johnson, a veteran swing tackle. This guy is a proven winner, having taken home a Super Bowl LIX ring with the very Eagles team that just waived him. Johnson has played in 82 games, starting 22 of them. The Rams might not have an immediate, screaming need at tackle with David Quessenberry and Keagen Trost already there. But if an opening suddenly develops, especially on special teams, Johnson is an instant plug-and-play solution.
These aren’t just any two guys, either. They are championship-tested veterans with playoff experience, a rare find this deep into the season. For a Rams team quickly running out of healthy bodies, Brown and Johnson represent a potential “saving grace.” Los Angeles needs to seriously consider these exterior options, because right now, their roster issues are piling up faster than a Sunday morning pancake stack.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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