The Rams did the right thing at the wrong time with this veteran player

Rams finally make the right move, but at the wrong time

With the Rams secondary down two key contributors at cornerback in Derion Kendrick and Darious Williams, and banking on superb play from veteran DB Tre'Davious White after two NFL season were cut short by serious injuries, the team seemed to be taking some unnecessary risks long before the season ever started.

After the team finally opted to place Darious Williams on IR, only then did the team add Witherspoon. But placing him on the practice squad did nothing to aid the team's secondary on game day. It was not until the team began to elevate him to the active roster that the defense began to turn the corner. And that was after the team restored Darious Williams to the active roster.

NFL teams can elevate practice squad players to the active roster three times a year without using the NFL Waiver Wire before the NFL requires the team to either sign the player to the active roster or look elsewhere. Well, he performed well on game day three times, and so the team finally signed Ahkello Witherspoon to the 53-man Rams roster.

That news was reported on October 22, 2024.

As you may know, we often cite free agent options to consider at times of injuries to Rams players. And we named Ahkello Witherspoon as a perfect option to sign to help the team in early September. After realizing that the team may be content to keep him on the practice squad, we urged the team once again to include him as part of the secondary's solution going forward.

But it did not happen until seven weeks had passed in the 2024 NFL season.

Whether I have some insight into better options for the LA Rams roster is certainly not the point here. But I do find it intriguing, and even mystifying, how the team seems to hold productive players in little regard when it comes to directing opportunities their way. Some players do not perform well, and yet seem to get an unending supply of chances.

While other players, who have demonstrated the ability to perform very well for the team, and must beg, borrow, and steal every chance that they get.

No team can succeed by listening to the fans exclusively. But sometimes, fans do have a point. Eventually, the team comes around, and all is well. But at 3-4, you really have to wonder. If the Rams had signed Ahkello Witherspoon to the active roster sooner, Would the team have won one or two additional games?

We will never know. But it is something to think about. Thanks for reading.

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