The Los Angeles Rams have signed recently-waived defensive tackle Cory Durden to their practice squad. Durden was waived — alongside Brett Rypien and Myles Gaskin — earlier this week, but returns to the practice squad.
Durden has appeared in four games for the Rams this season, playing in 16% of possible defensive snaps and 18% of possible special teams snaps. He recorded three tackles in those four games, one solo and two assisted.
Durden recorded a tackle in each of his last three games prior to being waived, but the team ultimately felt his services were better served on the practice squad than the active roster.
The defensive tackle and special teamer was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Rams after the 2023 draft. He played five college seasons, his first three at Florida State and his last two and North Carolina State. He recorded 11 sacks and 20 tackles for loss over that time.
It remains to be seen if he’ll get more game action with the Rams this season, but they certainly like having him in the organization.
Puka Nacua breaks Rams rookie record
Rams rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua has been setting records all season long with historic output from a first-year player. He’s also been one of the better receivers in all of football this season as he ranks fourth in both yards and receptions among all receivers this season through nine weeks.
Even in a down game for the surprise Pro Bowl candidate wide receiver, he still managed to make some Rams history. Matthew Stafford was sidelined with a thumb injury in Week 9 against the Green Bay Packers, leading Brett Rypien to step in as the starter. He completed only 13 passes, three of them to Nacua for 32 yards.
Nacua’s history-maker came with his second catch of the day — and his 63rd of the season — to make him the Rams all-time leader for receptions in a rookie campaign, doing so in only nine weeks.
Nacua is currently on pace to finish the year with 121 receptions, which would not only smash the Rams previous record set by teammate Cooper Kupp by almost 60 catches, it would also ensure that he’ll hold the record for a very long time.
He would also break the NFL record for receptions in a rookie season if he reached this figure. The current record is 104 catches set by Jaylen Waddle of the Miami Dolphins in 2021.
