Latest Rams injury news may be real reason behind the Roger McCreary trade

The Los Angeles Rams are in the midst of another impressive campaign during the 2025 NFL season, but they are still a few pieces away from being true contenders. On Monday, they made a move on that front by trading for Tennessee Titans cornerback Roger McCreary.

Trading for McCreary made sense in and of itself, as the Rams' cornerback room has left plenty to be desired this year. Plus, with the November 4 trade deadline looming, several other cornerback-needy teams were on the prowl for talented young players at the position.

In fact, The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported last week that McCreary was a hot commodity, and in addition to the Rams, the Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts, and Baltimore Ravens were all hunting for a cornerback as well. So, Les Snead striking fast did not make anyone bat their eyes.

Darious Williams' injury may have spurred Rams' Roger McCreary trade

But just after the trade for McCreary was announced, The Athletic's Nate Adkins reported that Rams cornerback Darious Williams spent the bye week rehabbing after suffering a shoulder and lat sprain, and his status for Week 9's game against the New Orleans Saints was in question.

This injury news may be the real reason why Snead and the front office moved so quickly to get a trade done. There weren't many other viable cornerback options out there, so the Rams needed to make a move if Williams' status was uncertain.

Williams has begun rotating in a bit more opposite Cobie Durant, with Emmanuel Forbes struggling, Ahkello Witherspoon still injured, and Tre Brown yet to play a defensive snap this season. Even with Williams healthy, the team needed more depth, but signing McCreary may be bad news for Brown.

RELATED: Les Snead strikes quickly as Rams land sought for bargain secondary help

If the Rams' pass-rush can continue to play at the level that it has, they can take the pressure off the secondary and make McCreary's transition easier. After all, it seems like, due to injuries, McCreary will need to play a pivotal role as soon as this Sunday anyway.

Thankfully, the Saints have a bit of a quarterback controversy brewing, between two below-average players, no less, so it could be a great time for the LA secondary to meld together and gain some momentum before a daunting three-game stretch to follow.

McCreary should be a big addition for the Rams' defensive backfield, and there was clearly an argument to be made for his acquisition anyway. But the news of Williams' injury provides even more clarity for why Snead and Co. moved so fast to get this deal done.