The Los Angeles Rams have dealt with two significant injuries to their secondary in the first days of training camp for the 2024 season. Cornerback Derion Kendrick suffered a torn ACL and Darious Williams is dealing with a potentially serious hamstring injury.
This is causing the Rams to turn to the free agent market to add some depth considering training camp is just getting underway.
Many assumed the Rams would re-sign a familiar face in Ahkello Witherspoon, who is coming off a solid season in L.A. Instead though, they are going outside the organization by signing former Detroit Lions cornerback Jerry Jacobs, per Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report:
Sources: Free agent CB Jerry Jacobs is signing with the #Rams.
Jacobs had a career-best 3 INTs and 8 PBUs for the #Lions last season. Physical corner who will upgrade LA’s secondary after helping change the culture in Detroit. pic.twitter.com/Z5Ltwq87u0
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) July 26, 2024
Jacobs is a 26-year-old that spent the last three seasons with the Lions. He is coming off a career year in 2023 in which he played in 15 games, starting 12 of them, while recording 55 total tackles, eight passes defensed and three interceptions.
Getting a young player of that caliber this late in the offseason doesn’t usually happen, so the Rams were lucky here that the cornerback market is still filled with quality veterans.
Depending on the severity of Williams’ injury, it is possible that L.A. also brings back Witherspoon in order to add more quality depth to their cornerback room. Regardless though, the addition of Jacobs gives the Rams another solid option on the defensive side of the ball for the 2024 season.
Rams’ Kyren Williams ranks in NFL 100
Last year was the definition of a breakout season for Rams running back Kyren Williams. Despite only playing in 12 games, Williams put himself on the map as one of the best running backs in the NFL today.
Williams finished third in the NFL with 1,144 rushing yards to go along with 12 touchdowns while also adding another 206 yards and three touchdowns receiving. He was also one of just five running backs to average at least five yards per carry and was named to his first Pro Bowl as well as being an Second Team All-Pro selection.
And Williams’ season did not go unnoticed by those around the league as the back became the first Rams player to appear on the NFL Top 100 list, coming in at No. 78.
