In lieu of the ankle injury sustained by Los Angeles Rams standout cornerback Trumaine Johnson, the team has added some depth to their already depleted secondary.
Although it has been reported that Johnson is not expected to miss any major time, the Rams have decided to claim former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive back Dwayne Gratz off waivers, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN:
LA is claiming former Jaguars CB Dwayne Gratz off waivers, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 11, 2016
Since entering the league in 2013, Gratz has compiled a total of three interceptions, 13 pass deflections, 119 tackles, and two forced fumbles in 40 games.
The former third-round pick out of Connecticut has had his fair share of struggles thus far in his young career. However, prior to being released by the Jaguars, Pro Football Focus ranked him as the 40th-best cornerback in the league with a grade of 75.8.
The Rams defense has been decimated by injury all season, even playing their last game without three of their four starting defensive lineman. As a result, they even had to cut cornerback Coty Sensabaugh in order to make room for defensive end Morgan Fox.
Now that Sensabaugh has since signed with the New York Giants, Fox had to be released in order to make room for Gratz. He now hopes to bring a spark to a very thin secondary.
Los Angeles will now rely on the newly-returned E.J. Gaines, a hobbled Lamarcus Joyner, and undrafted free agent Troy Hill when they take on the pass-heavy Detroit Lions in Week 6.
