The Los Angeles Rams started training camp Wednesday after rookies and veterans reported to camp on Tuesday. The Rams will practice at Loyola Marymount University, and fans are welcome to observe beginning Thursday. They have open practice until Saturday and will have Sunday off.
They will resume practice next Monday and continue until Thursday, with Friday off.
One storyline to follow throughout training camp is who starts at cornerback this season after they struggled in 2023.
The Los Angeles Rams looked to improve a pass defense that struggled in 2023
The Rams pass defense struggled in the post-Jalen Ramsey era. They allowed the 13th-most passing yards, the 10th-most passing touchdowns, and the 13th-most passing first downs in 2023.
The Rams addressed the cornerback position in free agency by signing Darious Williams. Williams, a former Ram, spent the last two seasons with the Jaguars. However, they parted ways with him and reunited in Los Angeles.
They also signed Tre’Davious White. The two-time Pro Bowler spent his first seven seasons with the Bills, but injuries over the past three seasons, including the recent Achilles tear in Week 4, cut his tenure short. White avoided the active/PUP list, and the Rams are trying to limit his workload so he doesn’t get injured. Once White’s ready to ease into practice, he will compete for a starting spot alongside Williams.
Unfortunately, the Rams fear one of White’s competitors suffered a significant injury.
The Los Angeles former 6th-round pick suffered a significant injury
Derion Kendrick exited on the first day of training camp with a knee injury. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Rams fear that he tore his ACL. He will undergo tests to determine the severity of the injury, which confirmed that he tore his ACL.
He will miss the entire 2024 season.
The Rams drafted Kendrick in the 6th round, 212th overall of the 2022 NFL Draft. Kendrick had a solid start to his career, recording 92 tackles, one interception, and 14 pass deflections in 32 games with 18 starts.
His replacement is unclear. However, the Rams have two possible options.
Option #1: An in-house candidate
The first option is Tre Tomlinson. The Rams drafted Tomlinson in the 6th round, 182nd overall of the 2023 NFL Draft. He didn’t receive much playing time as a rookie, playing 45 defensive snaps in 15 regular-season games and recording 13 tackles.
Other in-house candidates include Decobie Durant, who’s competing for the starting slot cornerback job against Quentin Lake, and undrafted free agent Josh Wallace.
Option #2: Free agent acquisition
The second option is a free agent acquisition. The Rams have roughly $8 million in cap space and can’t spend top dollar on a cornerback. However, they could sign a few free agents on a team-friendly deal.
One possible solution is Ahkello Witherspoon. Witherspoon spent last season with the Rams, tied for first in interceptions, and led the team in pass deflections. He recorded 52 tackles, three interceptions, and 14 pass deflections in 17 starts.
Who replaces Derion Kendrick in 2024?
