When the St. Louis Rams cut Michael Sam, they also decided to keep rookie DL Ethan Westbrooks. During the preseason both players had graded well, with Westbrooks showing versatility on the line that Sam didn’t have.
Yet that versatility hasn't yet played a factor for Westbrooks as he has played exclusively defensive end this season. Through four games this season (he was inactive in week 1), Westbrooks has only four total total tackles and no sacks (though some reports claim he had four tackles in one game, the official stats give him four for the season). Pro Football Focus, which was in love with him in the preseason rating him their No. 1 defensive end, hasn't even mentioned him in their "Re-focused" game recaps. St. Louis Post-Dispatch sports writer Jim Thomas called Westbrooks' performance "so-so" this season.
Against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football Westbrooks was completely stymied, blanked on the stats sheet and having no measurable impact on the game.
Westbrooks’ frustration boiled over Monday night when he took a swing at San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Jonathan Martin (he of Miami Dolphins fame). Westbrooks should have been disqualified for the swing (doesn’t matter if he connected or not – any attempted flagrant punch is grounds for disqualification).
The Rams are 1-4 this regular season since cutting Sam. Their defense ranks 24th against the pass (Sam's specialty) and their one sack (again, Sam's specialty) is worst in the NFL; The second-worst sack number is five by the Oakland Raiders.
