By Earl Heath , Contributing Sports Writer

Quarterbacks Bryce Perkins had a productive night in the preseason opener for the Rams at So-Fi Stadium.  The third stringer got busy right away leading the team on a 13 play 47 yard drive. The drive took 8:39 and was finished with a one yard burst by AJ Rose. That help lead to a 29-22 win over the Chargers. 

Later in the quarter Perkins  hit rookie  Lance McCutcheon down the left sideline where it appeared  he was being held by a Charger defender, he pulled the ball away then scampered the rest of the way for a  60-yard touchdown. 

Perkins finished the day completing 10 of 17 passes for 133 yards and two touchdowns and the one big thing – no interceptions. He also ran the ball eight times for 39 yards and a score. He has quick feet and an elusiveness that can’t be taught. 

It was both Rams coach Sean McVay and Chargers coach Brandon Staley were impressed. 

“I was really pleased with Bryce Perkins, his ability to be able to make plays off schedule, be able to get in and out of the huddle,” McVay said. “How the heck did he get out of a couple of those? He’s a playmaker. Being able to allow guys to play within their skillset when things do break down, that’s an elite trait that he has – an ability to be able to break tackles.” 

Perkins has never played in the regular season but has been on the Rams roster since 2020– at that time Staley was the team’s defensive coordinator. Staley said he has always thought highly of Perkins’ skill set, and thought Perkins gave the Chargers’ defense a great look at what changes they need to do when facing a duel threat like Perkins. 

Perkins played the entire game as starter Mathew Stafford and John Wolford looked on in street clothes. 

 Meanwhile McCutcheon from Montana State made a name for himself. . The 6-2 202 pounder is an undrafted free-agent who appeared comfortable during game action. He finished with five catches for 87 yards and he also caught a two-point conversion. 

The Rams’ top five receivers are essentially set, and you can make it six if you include Brandon Powell, but Sean McVay isn’t ruling out the possibility of keeping McCutcheon as No. 7. 

“I think certainly,” he said of whether McCutcheon has a shot to make the team. “A lot of that is predicated on, you look at the 53, but I’m really interested in the 48. How do these guys get up on game day and that’s a big part of it to be able to help Joe D and Jeremy Springer? Especially when you send your starting 11 out, whether it’s in 12 personnel, 11 personnel, if you’re not on the field, for you to have a jersey and dress with the 48, you better be willing to help on special teams. That all weighs into it. If you said anywhere between six and eight, but ideally, you’re saying you’ve got five guys up and sometimes we used to carry six because Mike Thomas was such a unique contributor on special teams. There’s a lot of layers to it.” 

ADD RAMS: The Rams made moves releasing former Texas Longhorns kicker/punter Cameron Dicker, offensive tackle Adrian Ealy, tight end Jamal Pettigrew and defensive back Caesar Dancy-Williams… The Rams will host Houston this Friday August 19 at So-Fi Stadium at 7:30. 

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