THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- They write these NFL rosters in pencil, never more so than when the cut down comes before the first regular-season game and when the trim goes from 75 to 53 players.
Their biggest cut on Saturday was linebacker Akeem Ayers -- who started for them last season and went to school at UCLA and nearby Verbum Dei High School.
Only sometimes these cuts do not end up being final cuts.
"All the decisions we make are difficult," said Los Angeles Rams coach Jeff Fisher. "And some of the decisions you make are not permanent, and that's all I can say. Akeem has played well for us. We enjoyed having him. We're kind of hopeful this is not the end between us and Akeem."
By cutting Ayers on Saturday the team saved $3.5 million in cap space. If Ayers does not sign with another team, the Rams can sign him back after the first week, presumably at a lower -- or at least non-guaranteed -- contract.
The Rams cut the five-year veteran despite having no obvious backup to take over his position. Their current roster shows six linebackers, three of them rookies (Jack Forrest, a sixth-round pick, and free agents Nicholas Grigsby and Corey Littleton).
More roster movement, however, could come as soon as Monday. Like all teams, the Rams are carefully studying the players released from other teams.
"There are moving parts," Fisher said. "We have work to do. I can't comment on the 53 and I can't stand up in front of them tomorrow and say, 'Hey, this is the group we're going to war with.' There's change. And you see it across the league. Nobody is settled right now."
The Rams' current roster shows only three safeties, but has seven wide receivers. The numbers don't exactly mesh for the regular season, let alone for the team's opener next Monday against the San Francisco 49ers.
"We have numbers that are unusual, that we have not had at a number of positions -- receivers, offensive line, the secondary," Fisher said. "It falls into that same category. If you were to assume that this is the group we're going to San Francisco with, it would be incorrect."
But the Rams are going to have to start someone at linebacker against the 49ers. Outside of second-year linebacker Bryce Hager, who is middle linebacker Alec Ogletree's backup, their only other current choice is one of the three rookies.
"They showed improvement week after week after week," Fisher said. "And they also showed that they can be productive on special teams in practice.
"Pleased with their progress. They have a ways to go with their position, but we like where the future is right now with that group."
At the moment, the Rams have 10 rookies on their roster. In addition to the three linebackers, they have three wide receivers -- Pharoh Cooper (fourth round) and Michael Thomas (sixth), and free agent Nelson Spruce.
Spruce led the team in receptions in the first preseason game, but injured his knee and did not appear in the final three exhibitions.
"Nelson did a lot of things well, in addition to the preseason game that he played in," Fisher said. "He's healing up. We feel like he has a chance to contribute and make some plays."
One of the players the Rams cut Saturday, center Eric Kush, quickly signed with the Chicago Bears.
"If our decisions get tough -- which they were -- that means we're getting better," Fisher said. "It was hard going to 75, let alone trying to get to 53, and we're not done. That would suggest we want to keep these players. We don't want to let them out. In the event that you do let them out, if we're doing our jobs, many of them are going to play with other teams."
The Rams have added seven players to their practice squad, which still has three spots available. They are: tackle Isaiah Battle, linebacker Brandon Chubb, defensive end Morgan Fox, running back Aaron Green, defensive back Michael Jordan, running back Terrence Magee and wide receiver Paul McRoberts.
The Rams also kept running back Tre Mason on the Reserve/Did Not Report list, where Fisher said he will remain indefinitely. The Rams have been unable to reach Mason, 23, who according to reports out of Florida, is having mental health issues.
"We've been reaching out to him, in communication, not with Tre, but his family," Fisher said. "The organization's position -- including the league and the players' association -- is to take care of him and help him to get the help he needs to get through this life crisis he's having."