Days after being arrested for a DUI, the Rams announced that they have released cornerback Troy Hill. The team also announced that cornerback Dwayne Gratz has been waived and linebacker Josh Forrest has been placed on injured reserve. To take their spots, cornerback Michael Jordan and linebacker Nic Grigsby are being called up from the practice squad.
Hill, 25, entered the league as a Bengals undrafted free agent in 2015 and didn’t play much during his rookie season. This year, he saw an increased role, appearing in every game for the Rams (until this weekend) and starting four contests. As Los Angeles’ fourth cornerback behind Trumaine Johnson, E.J. Gaines, and Lamarcus Joyner, Hill has played on 320 defensive snaps this year, but Pro Football Focus gave him poor marks for his play. His release should have opened a door for Gratz, but he also finds himself out of work.
Forrest, a sixth-round pick, suffered an ACL tear on Sunday. Forrest was Alec Ogletree‘s primary backup at middle linebacker, so they are now without an important reserve. As I suggested yesterday, Grigsby is getting a promotion to help fill the void.