IRVINE, Calif. -- Veteran defensive lineman Quinton Coples was released Monday by the Los Angeles Rams, who are trimming their roster from 90 to 75 players.
Coples was a first-round pick by the New York Jets in 2012 and was transitioning from defensive end to defensive tackle during training camp. Through the first two preseason games, the 26-year-old compiled four tackles, forced two fumbles and recorded a sack.
A 6-foot-6, 290-pound lineman, Coples played three-plus seasons with the Jets and about half a season with the Miami Dolphins, compiling 16½ career sacks.
Rams coach Jeff Fisher said he "wanted to give him a chance and give him an opportunity to get out there early to see if he could find work. If not, we're going to keep the door open for him."
"I really appreciated everything that he did," Fisher said of Coples. "Going from end to tackle, if you've never been in there, is quite a change. He worked really hard at it."
The Rams have yet to formally announce their first cuts. But several of them came through the NFL transactions wire on Monday, a list that includes quarterback Dylan Thompson, kicker Taylor Bertolet, tight ends Jake Stoneburner and Benson Browne, receivers Marquez North and David Richards, running back Zach Laskey, long-snapper Jeff Overbaugh, tackle Jordan Swindle, linebacker Darreon Herring, center Brian Folkerts, defensive tackle Zach Colvin and defensive back Michael Caputo.
The team was still waiting on one more cut before the 4 p.m. ET Tuesday deadline.
