Dean Connors is officially heading back to the Los Angeles Rams practice squad, and that move alone tells you everything about where Sean McVay’s squad is focused as the regular season looms. After the whirlwind of final roster cuts, Connors, a preseason standout, secured his spot back in the organization. It’s not just a small signing; it shows that the Rams are wasting zero time gearing up for their push toward a World Championship, a goal they’re already favored to achieve at +550, according to FanDuel.
The Roster Shuffle and Rebuilding the Bench
The NFL saw active rosters slash down to 53 players yesterday evening, throwing a massive pool of talent onto the waiver wire. Think about it: every team scrambling, looking for hidden gems or familiar faces to scoop up for their own depth. The Rams, you know, they weren’t just letting their promising talent walk away permanently. They’ve got the capacity to carry 16 players on that practice squad during the 2026 season, and there’s even an exception that allows for a 17th if a player qualifies through the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program. That’s a lot of potential impact players, and they’re crucial for the grind of a full season. Building out that deep bench with players who already know the system, like Connors, is straight-up smart roster management. It’s about more than just the initial 53, it’s about the whole depth chart.
Navigating Waivers and Making Key Moves
Getting Connors back wasn’t just a snap decision; it had to go through the whole intricate waiver process. See, any players subject to waivers must first pass through the league’s waiver process before they can be re-signed to a practice squad. That meant GM Les Snead and Coach Sean McVay had to be on it, fast, making sure they didn’t miss out. Waiver claims from the final roster reduction were due Monday, August 31, at 1 p.m. ET, and teams could only start assembling their practice squads *after* those waiver results were processed. The entire 24-hour period after Sunday’s 6 p.m. ET cut deadline was absolutely critical for Snead and McVay. They clearly prioritized bringing back certain guys who narrowly missed the 53-man roster, and Connors was a reported signing, a testament to his performance and their belief in his potential. This isn’t just routine; it’s a focused effort to secure every piece they need.
The Championship Blueprint is Forming
So, while the regular season active roster of 53 players is almost finalized, the roster-building work for the Rams is far from finished. Those 16 practice squad spots, potentially 17, are key to their strategy. With their eye squarely on a World Championship, every single move, even a practice squad signing like Dean Connors, is about building a complete, resilient, championship-ready squad from top to bottom. You gotta wonder, what kind of impact will these carefully selected practice squad guys make when their number gets called? The quest has truly begun, and the Rams are leaving no stone unturned.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Turf Show Times.
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