5 players to watch in Rams’ joint practice with Cowboys on Tuesday

The intensity will pick up this week around the NFL with joint practices and preseason matchups approaching.

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Rams will head over to Oxnard for a joint practice session with the Dallas Cowboys. The two teams will follow up their initial meeting with a preseason matchup on Saturday, August 9, at SoFi Stadium.

While joint practices will be key for those fighting to make the roster, they will be just as important for the starters, most of whose will see no playing time in the preseason and instead get a chance for meaningful reps against another opponent in practice.

Here are five Rams to watch during Tuesday's joint session.

LB Nate Landman

As one of L.A.'s under-the-radar free agent signings this offseason, Nate Landman has been making plenty of noise during the first two weeks of camp. The 26-year-old has been taking starting reps at linebacker and has been wearing the green dot while serving as the play caller on defense.

“He’s everything you want in a middle linebacker,” DC Chris Shula said last week. “He’s tough, smart, physical—and the guys already respect him.” “He can organize everything. He’s always in the right spot. You feel him out there. And he’s got this knack for punching the ball out, guys are starting to follow that.”

Signed by the Rams back in March, the former UDFA emerged for the Falcons the past two seasons, recording 191 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and six forced fumbles. Now, Landman will get his first look at an opportunity to showcase his leadership and physical play in battle this week against a live opponent – as long as he’s recovered from a calf injury that popped up Saturday.

S Quentin Lake

The do-it-all safety for the Rams, Lake may not be the standout name on defense, but he might just be the most versatile. In his first three seasons, the former 2022 sixth-round pick has showcased the ability to play the nickel, line up in the slot, and cover the deep post, all while bringing a physical style of play upfront. During the first two weeks of camp, Lake has been one of the team's standout players, snagging three interceptions.

“He’s everything,” Shula said earlier in camp. “Communicator, he moves around. How I like to say it is he allows us always to get our best guys on the field.

“I think he’s one of the best tacklers on the team,” Shula added. “But I think he’s probably one of the most underrated physical players in the league. He’s always been one of our best tacklers and he’s been one of our best communicators—smart. You can do a lot of stuff with him just because you're not going to overload him and he's going to get everybody right around him. In addition, I think he makes the guys around him play better, too.”

This week’s first outing against Dallas will be a good opportunity to showcase his communication, range, and ability, while matching up against talent like TE Jake Ferguson as well as WRs CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, who could test the fourth-year defender's deep coverage skills, and WR/KR KaVontae Turpin who has been used more in the slot.

OT D. J. Humphries

Likely the biggest position to keep an eye on for the Rams as the season approaches is left tackle. Last season’s starter, Alaric Jackson, who signed a three-year extension earlier this offseason, remains sidelined due to blood clots. The Rams, in response, signed an insurance option in veteran D.J. Humphries.

The 31-year-old has been taking snaps at LT with the first-team offense and will likely be the guy to hold down the fort until Jackson is cleared to return. Humphries, a 2021 Pro Bowl selection, joined the Rams late in the offseason and brings with him plenty of experience and, above all, reliability at a position that is most important outside of QB.

“I’ve unfortunately, or fortunately, gone up against him a lot over the last six, seven years,” OC Mike LaFleur said during camp. “So, I’ve always respected his game. But I didn’t know him personally until we brought him in. Guys like him, they raise the standard. He’s been through it. He gets it. That matters.”

While Cowboys star DE Micah Parsons continues to hold in as he seeks a long-term deal, the Cowboys present a deep rotation of edge rushers including Dante Fowler Jr., Marshawn Kneeland, rookie Donovan Ezeiruaku, and Sam Williams.

The Rams hope to walk out of joint practice feeling good about their fill-in option, who at the moment could be tasked with keeping quarterback Matthew Stafford upright during the season, should Jackson miss an extended period.

WR Puka Nacua

Year 3 is underway for the Rams’ biggest rising star over the past two seasons. Puka Nacua has established himself as one of the league’s top receiving threats and will have a chance to give fans another look at his skill set this week.

In his first two seasons, Nacua has solidified himself as one of the NFL’s most productive young wideouts. His route running and separation, contested catching, and playmaking have helped elevate the Rams’ offense since his record-breaking rookie season in 2023.

Tuesday’s joint practice will offer another valuable test. While Stafford (back) remains sidelined, Nacua will have the chance to sharpen his timing and chemistry with backups Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett.

Dallas continues to deal with injuries to its secondary. All-Pro corner Trevon Diggs is still working his way back from knee surgery and second-year corner Caelen Carson will miss 4–6 weeks with a hyperextended knee.

WR Davante Adams

Let's not forget the other end of the stick. While the true Hollywood showcase of Davante Adams and Nacua will likely have to wait until opening Sunday, the Rams will finally get a glimpse to see their dynamic WR duo in action against another team.

The addition of Adams, who signed with the Rams back in March just before Cooper Kupp was released, has already had a tremendous impact on the offense. A proven All-Pro and one of the best route runners the league has seen, Adams has brought veteran leadership and a high level of execution to the team's WR group.

Against the Cowboys, Adams will get his first competition in a Rams uniform and give the team and its fans a glimpse of how he fits into Sean McVay’s offense. From timing to route running to winning one-on-one matchups, all eyes will be on Adams as he looks to make an early impression.

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This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams-Cowboys joint practice: 5 players to watch on Tuesday