Jermelle

Cudjo

Of the six ERFAs tendered, Stewart saw the most action last season, though he struggled mightily in pass coverage as the Rams’ starting strong safety. These players will be brought to Rams camp, all competing for roster spots.

Cudjo missed all of 2011 with a back injury after appearing in 10 games in 2010, where he notched 13 tackles and 0.5 sacks. With new coach Jeff Fisher revamping the defensive line, Cudjo will have a hard time cracking the 53.

The knee scope will sideline Scott into the season and derail his already long shot of making the final roster. Jermelle Cudjo and Matt Conrath are expected to open the season as the primary backups to starters Michael Brockers and Kendall Langford.

Cudjo was a restricted free agent. A reserve defensive tackle, Cudjo played 351 snaps last season, notching 21 tackles and one sack. Going on 27, Cudjo is not a high-ceilinged prospect, and should remain a backup in 2013.

Cudjo doesn’t have to travel far after being released by St. Louis five days ago. At 6-foot-2 and 304 pounds, he’s a undersized for a typical 3-4 defense. But the Chiefs don’t have a single lineman taller than 6-foot-3 among their main five-man rotation. Cudjo struggles against the run and doesn’t generate much pass rush. He’ll compete for a roster spot in Kansas City.

The Rams are getting a head start on paring down their overflowing defensive line. A reserve defensive tackle, Cudjo was ineffective across 214 snaps last season, struggling as a run stopper while generating zero pass-rush heat.

Cudjo made a roster push in camp, but the Lions were just too deep along the defensive line. The Lions are now at the 53-man roster limit.

DTs Dorell Scott (ankle) and Clifton Ryan (migraines) are expected to miss Week 3, so Cudjo will likely get a few reps as the only backup behind starters Gary Gibson and Fred Robbins. Washington RB Clinton Portis looks like a solid RB2 in this favorable matchup.

Undrafted out of Central Oklahoma, Cudjo was a healthy scratch in the season opener. He’ll likely be re-signed to the practice squad.

They also waived DE Kenneth Charles and S John Dempsey, both undrafted free agents. Cudjo, 25, had nine tackles and a half sack in 13 appearances last season. He was washed out against the run too often to make the 2011 roster.