The Los Angeles Rams defense got a potential boost when they announced they signed edge rusher Takk McKinley.
McKinley recently signed onto the Tennessee Titans practice squad, but the Rams acted quickly to bring him onto the 53-man roster after a few injuries. The veteran is coming off an Achilles injury that cut his time with the Cleveland Browns short, but by all accounts, he is ready to resume playing.
McKinley expressed how happy he was to land in Los Angeles and is looking forward to contributing however much he can, via Stu Jackson of TheRams.com:
“First off, it feels great to be on the field again,” McKinley said. “Tore my Achilles late December last year, and it’s been – excuse my language – a hell of a journey just to get back on the field, just to get to this point, just to be able to be back in an NFL locker room. Especially the L.A. Rams, who won a Super Bowl, who got a team that’s pretty much built together, I’m here to help wherever I can.”
Although he was briefly with the Titans, McKinley acknowledged that it’s been an adjustment period for him as he gets back into a football routine:
“Just getting the feel of things again – the weight of the helmets, the weight of the shoulder pads, just trying to get back comfortable with football,” McKinley said. “We’ve been working real hard this offseason, my team up at REP1 and Pro Sports. It’s different from wearing no helmets, no gear, anything like that. Just being able to go out there and just be back to football was a great feeling.”
The Rams face off against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 3, and McKinley could very well be suited up and ready to make an immediate impact.