Joe Barksdale is expected to be the Rams' starting left tackle in Week 7 against the Packers.

That sound you hear is Clay Matthews licking his chops. Barksdale, a heavy-legged waist bender out of LSU, will take the place of injured LT Wayne Hunter (back). The fact that St. Louis' offense has been remotely functional at all this season is a credit to the coaching staff considering the sorry state of this offensive line. They have Barry Richardson at right tackle, lost C Scott Wells and LT Rodger Saffold, and start Rob Turner at left guard.

Rams claimed OT Joseph Barksdale off waivers from the Raiders.

OT Ty Nsekhe was waived in a corresponding move. The Giants were reportedly also interested in Barksdale, but the Rams had the higher claim. Barksdale was a third-round pick just last year, but had yet to be active this season. He appeared in all 16 games as a rookie, however, and should be in line for a decent amount of snaps along the Rams' banged up and ineffective line.

Raiders waived OT Joseph Barksdale.

New GM Reggie McKenzie continues to clean up the old regime's mess. Barksdale was a 2011 third-round pick that appeared in no games this year and ends his Raider career with zero starts. He'll attract attention on the open market thanks to his 39 college starts at LSU and 6'4/325 frame.

The Raiders are expected to sign a veteran right tackle as competition or insurance for third-rounder Joseph Barksdale.

If they don't succeed in re-signing Mario Henderson, Langston Walker, or Khalif Barnes, the Raiders will look outside the organization. A tackle signing "will happen," says beat writer Jerry McDonald.