Darious

Williams

Williams was a full participant in practice on Friday and did not receive a designation for Sunday’s game. He will be removed from injured reserve tomorrow. The Rams have been one of the weakest defenses against the pass this year. Getting Williams back is one step in a turnaround that will take a few weeks at least. Williams logged four interceptions, two forced fumbles, and 19 pass breakups with the Jags last year before signing with LA in free agency.

Williams was placed on injured reserve ahead of Week 1. He had been dealing with a hamstring issue since the start of camp. Defensive lineman Larrell Murchison also returned to practice. The Rams currently rank 31st in EPA per dropback allowed. Any reinforcements on the defensive side of the ball will be welcomed by Sean McVay and company.

Williams has been dealing with a hamstring injury since late July and will now miss at least the season’s first four games. The Rams’ secondary has been dealt some serious blows this offseason, including the loss of Derion Kendrick, who suffered a torn ACL in camp. Williams started all 17 games he appeared in last season, totaling four interceptions while breaking up 19 passes with the Jaguars. He’ll be eligible to return in Week 5 when the Rams host the Packers.

Rotational CB Derion Kendrick suffered a season-ending ACL tear in Wednesday’s practice as well, worsening the impact of Williams’ soft-tissue issue. The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue reports Williams’ injury, of unknown severity, occurred during the final play of Thursday’s practice. The Rams front office signed Williams and Tre’Davious White, formerly of the Bills, to man the perimeter cornerback positions this offseason. While White is currently a full practice participant, it should be noted he suffered season-ending injuries in both 2021 (ACL tear) and 2023 (Achilles tendon rupture).

Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the two sides are still finalizing the deal. Still, if we know the length of the contract already, it’s safe to assume the deal will cross the finish line soon. Williams began his career as a UDFA with the Ravens but was waived early in his rookie season. He was picked up by the Rams and would stay in LA for the next four years. He signed a three-year deal with the Jags in 2021 but was cut after two seasons for cap purposes. The transaction isn’t an indictment of his talent as Williams is coming off a stellar season. He broke up 19 passes and tallied four interceptions, one of which he took to the house for a touchdown. Bringing Williams back to LA will give a Rams defense that ranked 18th in dropback EPA last year a notable boost for the upcoming season.

Williams was let go by the Jaguars last week as a cap-saving move. The veteran corner turns 31 next week, but has started 10 or more games over the last four seasons, while also totaling eight interceptions over that span. Williams allowed 51 receptions for 613 yards and two touchdowns on 51 targets last season, but also forced four interceptions while breaking up 15 passes. His 85.3 PFF pass coverage grade ranked as the fourth-highest amongst qualified corners (min. 250 coverage snaps). Whether or not Williams can serve as an every-down starter is to be determined, but he can provide valuable depth as a high-upside vet for a team that allowed the fifth-most passing yards per game last season.

The move will save the Jags $11.5 million against the salary cap in 2024. The team continues to make room for a contract extension for Trevor Lawrence as he enters his fourth NFL season. Williams, who in 2022 signed a three-year deal worth $30 million with Jacksonville, had four interceptions in 2023 after back-to-back seasons without a pick.

Williams’ deal includes $18 million guaranteed and can be worth up to $39 million. Williams was the Rams starting cornerback opposite Jalen Ramsey but ended 2021 on injured reserve with an ankle injury. He was solid before going down, grading out as Pro Football Focus’ 72nd cornerback. The 29-year-old will now start in Jacksonville, his hometown.

Los Angeles’ starter opposite Jalen Ramsey, Williams graded out as one of Pro Football Focus’ top cover corners last year and will now miss the next three games with his ankle injury. Robert Rochell filled in against the Seahawks and will presumably continue doing so for the team’s upcoming schedule against the Giants, Lions, and Texans.

Williams went down late in last Thursday night’s win over the Seahawks and is staring at a multi-week absence. The 28-year-old is the Rams’ starter opposite Jalen Ramsey and is playing on the first-round RFA tender after grading out as one of Pro Football Focus’ top cover corners last season. Robert Rochell filled in last week.