Ahkello Witherspoon retires after nine seasons

Witherspoon, 31, gets a one-year deal. The signing reunites the veteran cornerback with Commanders general manager Adam Peters. Witherspoon entered the NFL as a third-round pick with the 49ers back in 2017, the same year that Peters was hired as the 49ers’ vice president of player personnel. Witherspoon intercepted one pass while playing in eight games last year.

Witherspoon missed a lot of last season with a shoulder injury and wound up playing just 186 snaps for the Rams in 2024. Entering his age-32 season, he’d probably only be fighting for a roster spot if the Commanders decided to sign him.

He re-aggravated his scapula injury and will be placed on season-ending injured reserve. The 31-year-old enters free agency having played just 186 snaps this year and 598 the year before. The Rams seem to have an affinity for the corner and will likely keep paying him the veteran minimum if no one else wants to snap him up.

He injured the shoulder in the first quarter, briefly returned, and has now been ruled out. Witherspoon played 12 snaps before leaving. The 30-year-old veteran started two games this regular season, appearing in six, while dealing with a shoulder injury that sent him to injured reserve.

Adams has been rehabbing this hamstring injury for weeks. He played through it without issue in Week 14 but suffered a re-injury in Week 15. Tonight’s absence was expected. It gives rookie WR Konata Mumpfield a chance to establish himself as a contributor, though expectations must be held in check. He should not be started in re-draft formats. The Rams also declared CB Ahkello Witherspoon, QB Stetson Bennett IV, RB Jarquez Hunter, OL Beaux Limmer and OLB Nick Hampton inactive in Week 16 against the Seahawks.

Witherspoon was placed on injured reserve after Week 2 with a shoulder injury. He revealed on Wednesday it was a scapula injury and the Rams activated the 30-year-old off injured reserve this week. Witherspoon is trending to play Week 13 against the Panthers.

He left Los Angeles’ Week 2 game against the Titans early with the injury and wound up playing just 16 snaps. Cobie Durant got the majority of the playing time in his stead as Emmanuel Forbes drew the start. Witherspoon will miss at least the next four weeks.

The Texans’ wide receiver corps will not be at full health, with Christian Kirk sidelined, but it’s still great news for the Rams, who will have their hands full in trying to cover Nico Collins. Witherspoon broke up six passes and recorded one interception last year.

Witherspoon is a new addition to the injury report today. The veteran cornerback is currently penciled in as a starter on the perimeter. Although the Texans will be without No. 2 WR Christian Kirk (hamstring), Rams cornerbacks still have the tall task of covering Nico Collins. Witherspoon’s absence could be consequential.

Witherspoon signed a one-year deal with the Rams in 2023 and started all 17 games for the team. He returned on another one-year deal last offseason and played a reduced role, only being credited with five starts across 13 appearances. Witherspoon broke up nine passes and picked off one throw. He also recorded a sack and a forced fumble across two playoff starts. Witherspoon’s days as an every-down player may be behind him, but he remains a good depth piece for LA.