The Los Angeles Rams announced two roster moves ahead of their preseason finale against the Los Angeles Chargers. On Monday, the team signed edge rusher Devean Deal and cornerback Steven Gilmore while placing cornerback Zech McPhearson and edge rusher Keir Thomas on injured reserve.
Devean Deal, an undrafted free agent from TCU, was previously signed by the Seattle Seahawks but was released in May. During his collegiate career, he played in 58 games, making 35 starts, and recorded 182 tackles, 14 sacks, and five forced fumbles. He earned defensive MVP honors in the 2024 New Mexico Bowl.
While it seems unlikely that either Deal or Gilmore will secure a spot on the final roster or practice squad, both players have the opportunity to showcase their skills in the upcoming game. With Keir Thomas on injured reserve, Wesley Bailey may have a better chance of making the team.
Zech McPhearson's absence from the previous game raised questions, but his placement on injured reserve clarifies that he was dealing with an injury. To bolster depth at cornerback, the Rams signed Steven Gilmore, who was undrafted in 2023 and previously played for the Detroit Lions and in the UFL.
In the UFL, he had a notable performance, ranking 10th in coverage grade in 2025, despite ranking lower among cornerbacks overall.
