The Los Angeles Rams signed a relatively unknown defensive tackle from the Tennessee Titans practice squad on Dec. 12 when it was believed that Aaron Donald would not return for the remainder of the 2022 season. And on Christmas Day, Larrell Murchison made his Rams debut.
Almost immediately, Murchison made an impact for the Rams. On the Denver Broncos’ eighth play from scrimmage, Murchison sacked Russell Wilson, the first of his NFL career. Later in the first half, Murchison got to Wilson again on a 3rd and 10 to force a punt.
He added two tackles for loss and four total tackles before leaving the game with a minor injury in the fourth quarter. His Rams debut was undoubtedly one to remember, as the game finished with a 51-14 Rams victory over the Broncos.
Murchison spoke about his big moment in L.A. and the preparation that went into making it happen, according to Stu Jackson of Rams.com:
“Oh yeah, it was fun,” Murchison told theRams.com Thursday. “Shoot, I’ve been waiting my whole career really to make some plays like that. It was exciting to be out there, be able to celebrate with my teammates and have some fun.”
Murchison had no idea where he would end up when the Titans released him from their active roster on Dec. 10, but knew he would be able to make an impact wherever he went.
“I knew it was God’s plan,” Murchison said. “I knew wherever I ended up, whether that was back on Tennessee’s practice squad, whether that was anywhere else, I knew God was going to place me where he needed me.”
One silver lining of the Rams playing in a lost season with injuries to nearly all of their top stars is the opportunity that certain players are getting that they may not have otherwise gotten. Players like Baker Mayfield, Murchison, and a segment of the Rams receiving core are all seeing increased roles.
With two games left in the season, Murchison should have two more chances to make an impact before hitting free agency and attempting to land a full-time contract with a team for 2023.
Cobie Durant discusses dream pick-six
Like Murchison, rookie cornerback Cobie Durant also shined in the Rams Christmas Day victory. He picked off Wilson twice, the second of which he returned for a touchdown. He called the pick-six a dream come true, and something he’s been hoping to get in an NFL game for a very long time.
