Rams cutting ties with pair of veterans
The struggling Los Angeles Rams waived veteran running back Darrell Henderson and linebacker Justin Hollins on Tuesday, abruptly cutting ties with two starters.
Los Angeles (3-7) has lost four straight games for the first time in coach Sean Mcvay’s tenure, and the moves indicate younger players will get a chance to play more down the stretch for the defending Super Bowl champions.
Henderson has rushed for 1,742 yards and 13 touchdowns over four seasons with the Rams, who chose him in the third round in 2019. Henderson started 28 games, including seven this season, and played extensively in the Los Angeles backfield whenever he was injury-free during his career.
Mcvay claimed Henderson had a minor knee injury, citing it as the reason he barely played. But Henderson is in the final year of his rookie contract before free agency, and the Rams are moving on before the final seven games of what’s looking like a lost season for Los Angeles.
Henderson has 283 yards rushing and three touchdowns this season. He is averaging 4.0 yards per carry, significantly more than Akers — who was sent home for three weeks and nearly traded at the deadline after a dispute with the coaching staff. Williams only returned to the Rams’ lineup on Nov. 13 after missing eight weeks with an ankle injury.
The Rams claimed Hollins off waivers in September 2020, and he became a regular member of their rotation as an edge rusher. Hollins had six sacks in 34 games with the Rams, including five starts this season while playing in all 10 games.
■ NFLPA: The NFL Players Association claims teams have colluded to avoid giving players fully guaranteed contracts. The union filed the grievance last month, two people with knowledge of it, told The Associated Press on Tuesday. The union claims owners and team executives agreed not to offer fully guaranteed deals after the Cleveland Browns gave Deshaun Watson a fully guaranteed $230 million, five-year contract in March.
■ Hall of Fame: Four-time Allpro cornerback Darrelle Revis is one of five first-year eligible players among 28 modern-day semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2023. Joining Revis as candidates for induction next year are offensive linemen Jahri Evans and Joe Thomas, defensive lineman Dwight Freeney and linebacker James Harrison. Each last played in the 2017 season.
■ Giants: Coach Brian Daboll on Tuesday said that cornerback Adoree Jackson will be sidelined for the game against Dallas on Thanksgiving with a knee injury incurred returning a punt against Detroit in Sunday’s 31-18 loss.
■ Titans: Todd Downing will keep working as Tennessee’s offensive coordinator until the Titans hear from either the NFL or something happens with Downing’s charges for speeding and driving under the influence.
■ Panthers: Carolina announced Tuesday that quarterback Sam Darnold will make his season debut on Sunday against Denver after interim coach Steve Wilks decided to bench Baker Mayfield.
■ Browns: Cleveland placed starting center Ethan Pocic on injured reserve after he hurt his knee on the opening drive in a loss to Buffalo on Sunday.
■ Chargers: Los Angeles signed kicker Cameron Dicker to the active roster and placed Dustin Hopkins on injured reserve.