The Rams have been dealing with a lot of injuries on their offensive line in the first few weeks of the season, so they decided to bring in a new body in hopes of making sure they can keep a full complement of blockers on the field at all times.
The Rams announced that they have been awarded tackle Joe Barksdale off of waivers from the Raiders. Barksdale was waived on Wednesday when the Raiders signed defensive end Andre Carter and the Giants also put in a claim for his services, according to Jenny Vrentas of the Newark Star-Ledger.
Barksdale, a 2011 third-round pick, played in all 16 games as a rookie but didn’t seem to enjoy the favor of the new coaching staff put in place by Dennis Allen and General Manager Reggie McKenzie. Barksdale was inactive in all three games this season before Oakland decided to give him the same parting gift that they gave cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke, their other third rounder picked last year.
The Rams are without left tackle Rodger Saffold for the next few weeks thanks to a sprained MCL and Wayne Hunter, his replacement, has been limited in practice both days this week with a knee injury of his own. Given the combination of injury and ineffectiveness across the entire line, Barksdale should be able to find his way into the St. Louis lineup at some point this season.