The Los Angeles Rams picked up their first win in a gutsy fourth-quarter comeback against Super Bowl favorite and division rival San Francisco 49ers. The team’s season was derailed early as they have been without over one-quarter of their intended starting line for most of the 12 quarters of football they have played so far this season.
Saturday, ahead of the Chicago Bears game, the Rams moved two players to the active roster from the practice squad to help address two of their most injured position groups.
Rams Add Two From Practice Squad
They elevated wide receiver Xavier Smith with Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua out as well as cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon in the absence of Darious Williams, Tre’ Tomlinson, and Derion Kendrick.
Smith joined the active roster ahead of the 49ers game then moved back to the practice squad, perhaps while the team shopped for a stop-gap option at the position. Smith joined the team last season as an undrafted free agent and spent the regular season on the practice squad. The 5 foot 9, 176-pound receiver made his first NFL start last week and made an integral 38-yard punt return that set up the game-winning field goal. He wasn’t given a snap on offense in that game.
Witherspoon was signed to the practice squad over two weeks ago. It isn’t clear if he will get the starting nod ahead of Cobie Durant, who has played 89 percent of the team’s defensive snaps at outside corner.
Witherspoon played outside corner for the Rams last season but was not initially re-signed. The Rams opted to pick up free agents, Darious Williams and Tre’Davious White. Witherspoon led the team in interceptions (3) and pass breakups (10), but struggled in coverage while dealing with a nagging knee injury. He gave up 15.1 yards per catch and 201 yards after the catch.
Of course, the elephant size question in the room is why the Rams looked in other directions over signing Witherspoon rather than waiting till now when their backs are against the wall.
