The Los Angeles Rams have injury crises across their roster. Wide receivers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp look to miss several weeks. The offensive line has already played in myriad different configurations and has seen two starters hit the injured/reserve list.
Amid those injuries, the hit that the secondary has taken has flown a bit under the radar. Before the season’s start, three Rams cornerbacks were added to the IR; starter Darious Williams and backups Derion Kendrick, and Tre’ Tomlinson. Then after Week 2 starting free safety John Johnson, the third was added due to a shoulder injury.
Now, Cobie Durant is listed on the week’s injury report with a toe injury. He did not practice on Wednesday. This is Durant’s third consecutive week on the injury report, second with the same toe injury.
When will the Rams Elevate Witherspoon To Active Roster?
Just four days before the Rams played the Arizona Cardinals, LA signed Ahkello Witherspoon seemingly to address a thinning DB room. But, he did not play. And as of Thursday, September 19th, they have not moved him from the practice squad to the active roster.
There are plenty of legitimate reasons to slow role a player’s onboarding, but that isn’t something the Rams have been shy about in the past. They signed safety Eric Weddle ‘off the couch’ on January 12th ahead of the Wild Card game. He played 85 snaps 11 days later in the Divisional round of the playoffs.
The big red flag could be around Witherspoon’s health. For much of last year, he dealt with a knee injury and was not signed before the season. The team could have concerns that he isn’t completely healthy
Witherspoon played for the Rams on a one-year contract in 2023. He led all defenders, playing 93.5 percent of the snaps. He set career highs in passes defended, interceptions, and tackles.