Rams Defense Gets Boost Ahead of Week 5 Game

The Los Angeles Rams defense has struggled all season. They are allowing the second most yards and points per game this season. They are tied for the fifth-fewest sacks, have the fourth-worst PFF coverage grade, and are dead last defending the run. But they are getting some relief this week ahead of their matchup against the Green Bay Packers.

The Rams added defensive tackle Jonah Williams, cornerback Darious Williams will make his return after spending the first four weeks on the injured reserve and cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon was added to the active roster on Saturday.

Rams Add Three Defenders

Jonah Williams

NFL: Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams
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Jonah Williams was a free agent after being cut by the Minnesota Vikings ahead of the season. The Rams expected to get Larrell Murchison back from the IR, but he landed back on the list after breaking his foot. Williams started his career with the Rams in 2021. Last year he played a career-high 53 percent of the team‘s defensive snaps. Williams racked up 49 tackles, including four for loss and two sacks. He totaled 27 STOPs 24 of which were in run defense and missed just one tackle in that facet.

Williams will benefit the defensive line rotation which has depended on Kobie Turner playing the 4th most snaps among the league’s defensive tackles.

Darious Williams

NFL: Los Angeles Rams-OTA
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Darious Williams has been on the IR with a hamstring injury but has been off the field since the beginning of Rams training camp. Before that Williams was the presumed starter at outside cornerback across from Tre’Davious White. Cobie Durant has been filling in during his absence.

Williams had the best statistical season of his career last year with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He snagged four interceptions and broke up 19 passes. He was tied for seventh and second in those categories.

This year the Rams’ defense is dead last in pass breakups with just 6 and has managed just one interception.

Ahkello Witherspoon

Syndication: Detroit Free Press
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The Rams have slow-rolled Ahkello Wetherspoon’s onboarding to the field. He was signed nearly a month ago on September 11th and was moved to the active roster for the first time ahead of the Chicago Bears game. He played just nine snaps in that game.

Questions about his health must be asked. He spent most of last season dealing with a knee injury and the fact that no team signed him this offseason, even to a 90-man roster, points toward the possibility that he isn’t 100 percent healthy.

Witherspoon was with the Rams last season and led all defenders in playing time. He also led the team in pass breakups and interceptions.