The Rams activated Williams (hamstring) from injured reserve Saturday.
Williams has been rehabbing through a hamstring injury he sustained in late July. His practice window opened Wednesday, and he will return for Week 5 against the Packers after practicing in full Thursday and Friday. Williams could be brought on slowly and serve as the Rams' top backup corner behind starters Tre'Davious White and Cobie Durant. Williams played in all 17 regular-season games for the Jaguars in 2023 and finished with 53 tackles (44 solo), 19 passes defended (four interceptions) and two forced fumbles.
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Rams' Darious Williams: Expected to suit up Sunday
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Rams coach Sean McVay said Friday that he expects Williams (hamstring) to play versus Green Bay on Sunday, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.
Williams has been on IR all season but was designated to return Wednesday and logged a limited practice session followed by a pair of full sessions during Week 5 prep. The veteran cornerback started all 17 regular-season games for Jacksonville last year and will likely be a starter for Los Angeles as well upon his return. It's not yet clear how the Rams will shift their secondary to accommodate Williams' insertion into the starting lineup.
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Rams' Darious Williams: Returns to practice Wednesday
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Williams (hamstring) was designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday.
The Rams now have 21 days to activate Williams to their active roster before he reverts to IR. Williams re-signed with the Rams this past offseason after a two-year stint in Jacksonville, during which he recorded 86 total tackles and 35 passes defended, including four interceptions, across 34 regular-season games. He's expected to start opposite Tre'Davious White as part of the Rams' top cornerback duo once he's fully recovered from his hamstring issue.
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Rams' Darious Williams: Nearing return
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Head coach Sean McVay told reporters Monday that Williams (hamstring) is expected to return to practice and have his 21-day window opened this week, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.
Williams missed the Rams' first four games this season due to a hamstring injury sustained in late July, but following McVay's comments Monday, it appears he's nearing a return to the field. McVay told reporters at the beginning of September that Williams' target return date was Week 5, and he appears to be right on schedule. If Williams' 21-day window is opened and he's able to suit up against the Packers on Sunday, he'll serve as one of Los Angeles' top cornerbacks.
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Rams' Darious Williams: Hopeful for Week 5 return
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Coach Sean McVay said Friday "the hope" is Williams (hamstring) will be ready to come off IR and play Week 5, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.
Williams will need to spend at least four games on IR while recovering from a hamstring injury he initially sustained in late July. Until Williams is back on the field, however, Cobie Durant will project to handle a starting role at cornerback across from veteran Tre'Davious White, beginning with Sunday night's regular-season opener against the Lions.
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Rams' Darious Williams: Placed on injured reserve
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The Rams placed Williams (hamstring) on injured reserve Thursday.
Williams pulled his hamstring in late July and will now miss at least the first four games of the season on injured reserve. It's a big blow to the Rams' cornerback group, one that was remade in the offseason with the pickups of Williams and Tre'Davious White as the team's projected starters. Derion Kendrick was already lost for the year to a torn ACL, and Cobie Durant is dealing with a hamstring issue of his own that has limited him in practice this week. The Rams have a road date with the Lions this coming Sunday night.
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Rams' Darious Williams: Nearing return to practice
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Head coach Sean McVay relayed Thursday that he expects Williams (hamstring) to "work back in" to practice next week.
Williams has been nursing a hamstring injury since late July, which has kept him from participating in practices and preseason games. He signed a three-year, $22.5 million contract with the Rams in March and is expected to start in the secondary at corner opposite Tre'Davious White. Williams played in all 17 regular-season games for the Jaguars in 2023, finishing with 53 tackles (44 solo), 19 passes defended, four interceptions, two forced fumbles and a touchdown.
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Rams' Darious Williams: Diagnosed with hamstring strain
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Williams suffered a hamstring strain in practice Thursday and will be monitored daily, Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Williams hurt his hamstring on the final play of practice Thursday, and further testing has revealed a strain. Rams head coach Sean McVay said Saturday that the team is "definitely not going to rush him back," though he didn't offer a timeline for Williams' return. If the cornerback is unable to be ready for Week 1 of the regular season, Jerry Jacobs (hamstring) -- whom Los Angeles signed Saturday -- could be called upon to start.
Williams finished the 2023 regular season with 53 tackles (44 solo), 19 pass deflections, four interceptions and two forced fumbles in 17 games.
Williams didn't have any interceptions in his first year with Jacksonville during 2022, but he picked off four passes in 2023 and also had the exact same tackle total. The 30-year-old is entering the final season of his three-year, $30 million contract and has likely played well enough to finish out the deal. However, if Jacksonville is looking for cap savings, Williams could be cut with just $500,000 in dead cap compared to his scheduled cap hit of $10.5 million.
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Jaguars' Darious Williams: Picks off Flacco in narrow loss
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Williams had two solo tackles, three passes defensed and one interception during Sunday's 31-27 loss to Cleveland.
Williams continues to operate as a high-end coverage option for Jacksonville, though those skills don't often translate to elite fantasy production. The 30-year-old next faces the task of keeping Lamar Jackson and company contained through the air, with the Jaguars taking on the Ravens in primetime on Sunday night Week 15.
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Rams' Darious Williams: Limited Friday
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Williams (ankle) was limited at Friday's practice, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
Williams was a full participant Thursday, so Friday's limited workload is somewhat concerning. Still, the team could just be erring on the side of caution with an injury that had him previously on injured reserve. Saturday's practice report should bring more clarity to the issue.
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Rams' Darious Williams: Should play Sunday
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Williams (ankle) should be able to play Sunday according to head coach Sean McVay, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
Williams was designated to return from IR Wednesday and will need to be activated by Saturday to play in Week 9. Before getting injured, Williams had missed only one defensive snap all season. He will likely return to his starting role if he can play Sunday against the Titans.
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Rams' Darious Williams: Diagnosed with mild sprain
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Williams suffered a mild ankle sprain in Thursday's win over Seattle, Stu Jackson of the Rams' official site reports.
Coach Sean McVay said Friday that Williams doesn't have a timetable for his return, but it's encouraging that the injury is considered minor. The cornerback will have a few additional days to recover ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Giants.
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Rams' Darious Williams: Ready for Week 1
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Williams (ankle) isn't listed on the Rams' injury report Wednesday.
Williams was dealing with an ankle injury early in August and has just made it off the Rams' injury list. The cornerback is slated for a big role alongside Jalen Ramsey on what should be one of the league's top defenses. Williams appears to be on track to play in Sundays' opener against the Bears.
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Rams' Darious Williams: Dealing with ankle issue
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Williams is dealing with an ankle issue and did not practice Tuesday, Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com reports.
The severity of the ankle injury remains unknown, but it's something to keep an eye on as Saturday's preseason opener against the Chargers approaches. Williams is slated to replace Troy Hill as the team's starting corner opposite Jalen Ramsey, but it could be Donte Deayon and David Long seeing increased reps if Williams remains sideline for some time.
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Rams' Darious Williams: Returning to Los Angeles
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Williams signed a one-year restricted free agent tender with the Rams on Wednesday, Stu Jackson of the team's official site reports.
The Rams placed a first-round tender on Williams this offseason, a move that signaled a strong desire to keep him around for 2021. Look for Williams to head into next season as a key piece of the secondary, coming off a 2020 campaign in which he posted career highs in interceptions (four), tackles (44) and pass breakups (14) .
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Rams' Darious Williams: Notable role in 2020
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Williams recorded 44 tackles (37 solo), 14 pass breakups and four interceptions across 16 regular-season games with the Rams in 2020.
Williams managed career-high numbers across the board in 2020, playing 824 defensive snaps compared to 221 snaps in 2019. His 14 pass breakups tied for 12th in the NFL. The soon-to-be 28-year-old is set to become a restricted free agent this offseason.
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Rams' Darious Williams: Settling into expanded role
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Williams played 47 of 49 defensive snaps and recorded two solo tackles and a pass breakup during Sunday's 28-17 loss to Miami.
The second-year Ram has started six of eight games and is playing the majority of defensive snaps. Williams appears locked into his extended role and ranks 15th among eligible cornerbacks, according to PFF position grades. He's probably still not a serviceable fantasy asset in most settings, though.
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Rams' Darious Williams: Good to go Sunday
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Williams (ankle) is active for Sunday's game versus the Bills, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
Williams has a consistent role on the Rams' defense, as he's logged at least 89 percent of the defensive snaps in each game to begin the season. He's produced well, too, recording five solo tackles, a pass breakup and an interception.
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Rams' Darious Williams: Declared out for Week 11
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Williams (ankle) is out for Sunday's game against Chicago.
Williams was unable to participate in practice all week after suffering the injury in Week 10. Accordingly, the Rams will be without some of their special-teams depth.
