LA Rams secondary retains Top-10 ranking despite FA and injury losses

Rams reworked secondary for NFL Playoffs

One of the lesser-discussed phenomena for this LA Rams defense has been the way that the team has been forced to reassemble a working secondary on the fly. The Rams lost both starting safeties in Week 18 and faced entering the playoffs with a backfield without either Taylor Rapp or Jordan Fuller.

To fill in the roster, the Rams convinced former safety Eric Weddle to come out of retirement to play for the team. In the Wildcard Round of the NFL Playoffs, the team alternated DB Terrell Burgess on running downs and brought in Weddle for obvious passing down situations. But as the Rams advanced, Weddle’s role grew as well. So much so that Eric Weddle will be calling the defensive plays for the Rams in Super Bowl LVI.

That’s pretty amazing for a guy who was retired just more than a month ago.

Rams secondary will show up

But he won’t be alone. He will be joined on the field with Jalen Ramsey, an underestimated Darious Williams, a brilliantly performing Nick Scott, and even help from DBs David Long Jr., Donte Deayon, and Terrell Burgess. The Rams may even be welcoming back rookie Robert Rochell. And the Bengals have no idea just how good he can be.

The LA Rams are also welcoming back starter Taylor Rapp from the NFL’s concussion protocol. But even with that news, the Rams intend to play Weddle every down. That could mean that the team will use Rapp as a hybrid LB/S on nickel downs, a role that he would be very good at.

The Bengals’ passing game is dangerous, yes. But so far, the LA Rams have an offense that is every bit as dangerous, and the secondary practices against them each week. These LA Rams have faced adversity all season long. Now, they simply have to overcome it just one more time.