The Los Angeles Rams secondary looked great on paper heading into training camp before the team suffered a couple of injuries.
First, the Rams lost Derion Kendrick for the 2024 season after he was placed on IR after tearing his ACL. Darius Williams then suffered a hamstring injury, though the severity is currently up in the air.
Fortunately, Los Angeles did build up some depth especially after they re-signed veteran safety John Johnson III. Johnson returned last season on a one-year deal and lands back with the Rams after playing a smaller role in 2023.
Johnson is quite familiar with Los Angeles at this point in his career and called the city home, via Stu Jackson of TheRams.com
“It feels good,” he told theRams.com after Saturday’s training camp practice. “I mean, this is home, this is where I want to be.”
Johnson added that the Rams were always his first choice in free agency:
“I wanted to come back. I didn’t want to be anywhere else,” Johnson said. “I don’t have to start from scratch. Everyone here, they know me here. I’m a ram, you know, so I ain’t really want to go anywhere else.”
As far as his mindset goes, Johnson is focused on filling in the gaps where he can:
“Got a long way to the season. Just keep showing what I can do,” Johnson said. “Keep being the same person every day. Keep bringing up being a leader. Keep making plays. When your number is called, you got to go in there, make plays. Sometimes you might not be the starter, sometimes you might not get all the reps in practice, but (when) you get an opportunity, cash in. So that’s really what I want to do. And I think everyone here knows that if I do have the opportunity to go out there, I’m gonna make the most of it.”
Johnson’s presence gives head coach Sean McVay and defensive coordinator Chris Shula some assurance that the secondary will be fine despite the injuries. While he may not be the same level of player he used to be, Johnson is a quality depth option for a young Los Angeles roster that needs all the experience it can get.
Sean McVay says Rams won’t rush back Darius Williams
Like John Johnson III, Darious Williams reunited with the Rams in free agency but unfortunately now finds himself sidelined during training camp. While his rehab timeline is unknown, McVay said the team won’t rush Williams back.
