Rams lose starting cornerback for at least a month

Rams cornerback Darious Williams (11) walks off the field after a game against the Indianapolis Colts in 2021.

Staff Writer

Sept. 5, 2024 12:49 PM PT

The Detroit Lions feature one of the NFL’s most dynamic passing attacks — and the Rams now must try to stop it with a depleted secondary.

On Thursday, the Rams placed cornerback Darious Williams on injured reserve because of a hamstring injury, so the veteran will be sidelined for the opener on “Sunday Night Football” and games against the Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears.

Williams, who was expected to start opposite Tre’Davious White, suffered the injury early in training camp. Cobie Durant could start in place of Williams, but Durant also has been nursing a hamstring injury.

Williams is the latest casualty in a secondary that lost Derion Kendrick for the season because of a knee injury suffered during the first day of training camp.

After Williams was injured, the Rams signed former Lions cornerback Jerry Jacobs but a month later the team released him with an injury settlement.

Second-year pro Tre Tomlinson was placed on injured reserve after roster cuts.

White, who underwent Achilles surgery last year after suffering the season-ending injury while playing for the Buffalo Bills, is on track to start Sunday. Undrafted rookies Josh Wallace and Charles Woods are other cornerbacks on the roster.

Coach Sean McVay was not scheduled to speak with reporters Thursday.

First-year defensive coordinator Chris Shula said he and the Rams would be prepared regardless of the rash of injuries in the secondary.

“That’s just part of the deal,” he said before practice. “First-year coordinator, but definitely been around long enough to see that it can happen at certain spots. And you’ve just got to keep moving and be ready to go and trust your coaches and trust your players and trust your plan to go play at a high level no matter what happens and no matter who’s out there.”

Williams, 31, played for the Rams from 2018 to 2021 before signing a free-agent deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars. In March, the Rams re-signed Williams to a three-year contract that includes $15 million in guarantees, according to Overthecap.com.

Williams was sidelined during training camp and other preseason workouts before returning to participation last week. He was listed as limited on Wednesday, however, and when asked before Wednesday’s practice if Williams had suffered a setback, McVay said no.

“He’s doing good,” McVay said, adding, “He’s making progress.”

The decision to put Williams on injured reserve apparently came to light after the workout.

Asked if the Rams would explore adding a cornerback or two for depth, Shula said, “we haven’t gotten there yet, so we’ll see what [general manager] Les [Snead] and Sean want to do.”

The Lions feature quarterback Jared Goff, star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and tight end Sam LaPorta among other weapons.

Shula said he has confidence in Wallace and Woods if they are called upon, noting Wallace played in big games for national champion Michigan.

“He’s been in the spotlight like that,” Shula said. “He’s a really smart guy, really prepared and so we think that both of them can go out and execute.”

Wallace said he is prepared for an opportunity.

“Darious, Cobie and Tre’Davious White — they’ve all been great role models and helped me get caught up,” Wallace said, “So I’m ready to go when my name’s called.”

Rams lose starting cornerback for at least a month

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