IRVINE, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Rams officially cut ties with 15 players on Tuesday, trimming their roster to the NFL-mandated 75 players. Here's a closer look at the first cuts:
Most significant move: The Rams terminated the contract of veteran defensive lineman Quinton Coples, a 2012 first-round pick of the New York Jets who was making the transition from end to tackle over the last few weeks. That can be a very difficult adjustment for a fifth-year pro. Coples, who has racked up 16.5 career sacks, was cut early in order to give him time to join another team. The 26-year-old recorded two tackles, forced two fumbles and picked up a sack against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 20, but there ultimately was not enough room for him on the Rams' defensive line. It speaks to the team's depth at the position.
Receivers stay put: Competition for the final wide receiver spots appears to be wide open heading into the Rams' final preseason game, against the Vikings in Minnesota on Thursday at 5 p.m. PT. The shoulder injury sustained by No. 3 receiver Pharoh Cooper, who is expected to miss at least the first regular-season game, has created some uncertainty beyond Kenny Britt and Tavon Austin. Four rookies -- Paul McRoberts, Nelson Spruce, Mike Thomas and Duke Williams -- remain. So do Austin Hill and Bradley Marquez, who has fully recovered from his ankle injury. And veteran Brian Quick could be on the bubble due to prior drops.
No more kicker competition: Rams coach Jeff Fisher previously said he wanted to create competition for his incumbent kicker, Greg Zuerlein, who missed a third of his field goals last season. But Taylor Bertolet, an undrafted free agent out of Texas A&M, apparently didn't do enough to create any real drama at the position. He was among the first cuts. Zuerlein made all three of his extra-point attempts in the first two preseason games and kicked three field goals in Denver on Saturday -- from 29, 38 and 48 yards out.
Rams moves: Waived K Taylor Bertolet, TE Benson Browne, DB Michael Caputo, DT Zach Colvin, DT Quinton Coples, OL Brian Folkerts, LB Darreon Herring, FB Zach Laskey, S Jordan Lomax, WR Marquez North, LS Jeff Overbaugh, WR David Richards, TE Jake Stoneburner, OL Jordan Swindle, QB Dylan Thompson.