After the beleaguered Rams fell to 1-3 on Sunday to open the season, they may have some defensive reinforcements on the horizon.
The team plans to open the 21-day practice window for cornerback Darious Williams (hamstring) and defensive tackle Larrell Murchison (arm) this week, head coach Sean McVay said on Monday.
Both Williams and Murchison started the season on injured reserve and have missed the minimum four games required before they are allowed to return to play. With the 21-day practice window open, they theoretically could return as early as Sunday’s home game against the Green Bay Packers (2-2).
McVay said the Rams aren’t setting any expectations this week for Williams or Murchison.
“Optimistic that we’ll evaluate it,” McVay said. “I don’t want to put any unnecessary timetable on those guys. But I know they’re making good progress. I think playing football and simulating some of the settings that occur in practice will be the best indicators. But they are making good progress; that certainly isn’t something I would rule out, the possibility of them going.”
McVay did rule out wide receiver Cooper Kupp (ankle) this week. Linebacker Troy Reeder (toe), receiver Demarcus Robinson (groin) and left tackle Alaric Jackson (knee swelling) will all be limited in practices in the early parts of this week after getting banged up in Sunday’s loss to the Chicago Bears, but McVay said he expects all three to play against the Packers.
Between the two defensive players returning to practice this week, Williams’ absence has been more acutely felt.
Williams was brought back to Los Angeles as a free agent this offseason after spending the previous two years in Jacksonville. The Rams signed him and Tre’Davious White to provide a more veteran presence at cornerback this year after relying heavily on second-year players at the position in 2023.
But Williams pulled his hamstring during the first week of training camp, then re-aggravated the injury during Week 1 practices, leading to his IR placement. In his absence, the Rams’ secondary has struggled.
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The team has given up eight passing touchdowns through four games, tied for 28th in the NFL, and is 22nd in the league in passing yards allowed per game. All despite being in the bottom quarter of the league in time of possession with the lead this season.
Between Williams’ absence and injuries to safety John Johnson III and cornerback Derion Kendrick, McVay said, it’s been difficult to do a big-picture evaluation of the Rams’ secondary.
“We’ve had guys in and out of the lineup, corners have been in and out of the lineup. I mean, there’s been multiple moving parts,” McVay said. “When you start moving guys around and having moveable pieces, it’s hard to establish continuity. And guys are in key, critical spots of communication that they’ve never gone through before. So, that was not part of the plan. … That’s the reality that we’re living in.”