In an intriguing turn of events, the Los Angeles Rams have undergone a rapid transformation this week by adding not one but two former Alabama players to their ranks. The week commenced with the Rams holding the unique distinction of being the sole NFL team without a player hailing from an Alabama high school or college on their roster. This narrative, however, took a swift turn as the Rams secured the services of former Alabama tight end Miller Forristall for their practice squad on Wednesday, marking their second consecutive day of recruiting talent from the Crimson Tide.
The preceding day witnessed the signing of former Alabama long snapper Carson Tinker to the Rams’ active roster, a move prompted by the placement of long snapper Alex Ward on injured reserve. Forristall, who had initially joined the Rams on September 12, found himself back in the mix after a brief hiatus. Despite being released by Los Angeles on December 5, he was swiftly reacquired due to the absence of starting tight end Tyler Higbee in the team’s recent 37-31 overtime loss to Baltimore, coupled with tight end Hunter Long’s departure from the game with a knee injury after just 19 snaps.
The unfortunate news for the Rams emerged as Coach Sean McVay revealed that Long’s injury necessitates season-ending surgery. Forristall, having entered the NFL in May 2021 as an undrafted rookie with the Tennessee Titans, has traversed various NFL landscapes, spending time on the practice squads of both the Titans and the Cleveland Browns during his rookie season. He managed to appear in two games in his debut season and an additional four in the 2022 season with the Browns.
This journeyman tight end had a brief stint with the New Orleans Saints, facing setbacks as he was placed on the physically-unable-to-perform list in July 2023, only to be waived shortly afterward. Subsequently, Forristall joined the Browns again in August 2023 but was once more waived as the team finalized its roster for the regular season.
As the Rams gear up to face the Washington Commanders on Sunday, their current record stands at 6-7, placing them just outside the NFC playoff picture with four weeks left in the regular season. The remaining matchups against the New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, and San Francisco 49ers will undoubtedly test the resilience of this evolving roster.
