The Los Angeles Rams made a procedural but noteworthy roster move by waiving/injured offensive lineman Willie Lampkin IV, a decision that raised some eyebrows among fans following the team’s preseason developments. While the term “waived/injured” may sound like the end of the line for a player, it’s actually part of the NFL’s roster management process and doesn’t necessarily mean Lampkin’s time with the Rams is finished.
When a player is waived/injured, the team exposes him to waivers while designating his injury status. Other teams across the league then have a 24-hour window to place a claim. If a team were to claim Lampkin, they would take on both his contract and his recovery responsibilities. However, if he clears waivers and goes unclaimed, the Rams can revert him to their injured reserve list. From there, he could either remain sidelined for the season or, depending on the severity of his injury and the team’s needs, later be designated for return.
For Lampkin, who has been fighting to carve out a role on Los Angeles’ offensive line depth chart, this move reflects the difficult balance teams face during roster cuts. The Rams are trying to manage injuries, preserve flexibility, and still keep potential developmental players within the organization. If Lampkin clears waivers and lands on injured reserve, he’ll still be under team control and could continue his development behind the scenes with the possibility of making an impact down the road.
In short, the waived/injured designation doesn’t necessarily spell the end of Lampkin’s time with the Rams. Instead, it’s a strategic step in the roster process that leaves open the possibility he could stick with the team long-term, even if he’s sidelined in the short
term.
