(This story has been updated to provide new information)
Chris Paul Jr. was undoubtedly the Los Angeles Rams’ most surprising cut on Tuesday, being a fifth-round rookie. However, it seems he wasn’t coveted by teams around the NFL.
Paul went unclaimed off waivers on Wednesday, meaning he’s now a free agent. Any team can sign him to their 53-man roster or practice squad, including the Rams. That comes as a big surprise given his draft status, going 172nd overall in the fifth round four months ago.
It’s unclear if the Rams will want to bring him back on the practice squad, but Sean McVay wished him well in his press conference on Tuesday, which could indicate his time in Los Angeles is done regardless.
“First of all, a great dude,” McVay said. “I really respect him as a man. It was not an easy decision, but what we are tasked to do is to evaluate, when we went with four inside linebackers, who we think are the four best inside linebackers? That’s not exclusive to playing inside linebacker, part of that is playing special team. … It’s not anything to take away from ‘Pooh’ because I have respect, love and wish him nothing but the best.”
The Rams did have four players claimed off waivers: Willie Lampkin was claimed by the Eagles, Brennan Jackson heads to the Raiders, Charles Woods was claimed by the Patriots and the Seahawks claimed Derion Kendrick.
Update (1:33 p.m. ET): Paul is signing to the Seahawks’ practice squad, according to a source.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Former Rams rookie LB Chris Paul Jr. goes unclaimed off waivers
Reporting by Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
