The Los Angeles Rams will be without starting cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon for an extended period after placing him on injured reserve Monday. Head coach Sean McVay confirmed that Witherspoon suffered a broken clavicle during Sunday’s Week 2 victory over the Tennessee Titans, sidelining him for at least four weeks.
Witherspoon, who re-signed with the Rams in March, started all 17 games in 2023 and appeared in 13 games with five starts in 2024. He had been a full-time starter through the first two games of the 2025 season, making his absence a significant setback for Los Angeles.
“Ahkello is a high-quality player, and we’ll miss him for a bit,” McVay said. “A broken clavicle takes time to heal, but we’ll get him back and ready.”
Rams CB Depth Steps Up
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Despite the loss, the Rams’ depth chart has proven resilient. Veteran cornerback Darious Williams, inactive in Week 1, was forced into action alongside Emmanuel Forbes Jr. and Cobie Durant. While the secondary did not record an interception, they limited rookie quarterback Cam Ward to 175 passing yards and allowed just five sacks for a loss of 32 yards.
Nate Atkins of The Athletic noted that Forbes has assumed the role of the Rams’ “top outside corner,” a critical assignment against Tennessee’s receiving threats. The unit will also rotate in Darious Williams for additional snaps, while Quentin Lake and Josh Wallace continue to contribute in the slot.
Richard Sherman, former All-Pro cornerback and current television analyst, praised Witherspoon’s Week 1 performance against the Houston Texans on social media: “Ok @ahkello!! 🔒🔒🔒” Sherman tweeted, highlighting the veteran’s lockdown capabilities. In that game, Witherspoon held Houston to 151 passing yards, no touchdowns, and one interception, validating expectations for his third season in Los Angeles.
Ahkello Witherspoon Recovery Timeline and Strategic Implications
Clavicle fractures generally carry a 6–8 or 8–12 week recovery period depending on severity and whether surgery is required. The Rams have not disclosed if Witherspoon will undergo surgery, but his absence will test the adaptability of a secondary that showed strong potential in Week 1. Offensive coordinators will likely attempt to exploit the reshuffled lineup, but early evidence suggests the unit is capable of adjusting.
McVay emphasized the team’s resilience: “Losing a player like Ahkello is never ideal, but we have the personnel and preparation to manage it. These next weeks will be a challenge, but we’re confident in our depth.”
With the Rams now relying on five cornerbacks—Forbes, Williams, Durant, Lake, and Wallace—the team’s ability to weather injuries while maintaining defensive consistency will be critical as the season progresses. Injuries are part of the game, but Witherspoon’s absence represents a notable challenge in the Rams’ pursuit of defensive dominance.
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