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Derion Kendrick

Rams Claim CB Derion Kendrick; WR Tutu Atwell, CB Ahkello Witherspoon In IR-Return Window

November 27th, 2025 at 10:34am CST by Sam Robinson

NOVEMBER 27: Witherspoon clarified (via Henderson’s colleague Sarah Barshop) his injury was actually a broken scapula, rather than a clavicle. That has allowed for his rehab process to move quicker than anticipated.

NOVEMBER 26: Derion Kendrick is heading back to Los Angeles. After the Seahawks waived the cornerback Tuesday, the Rams made a successful claim to reacquire him.

Additionally, the NFC West-leading team has two players in the IR-return window. The Rams, who have not used any of their eight allotted injury activations this season, designated wideout Tutu Atwell and cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon for return Wednesday. In a corresponding move, however, corner Roger McCreary is now on IR. Los Angeles also signed tight end Nick Vannett from its practice squad.

[RELATED: Injured Reserve Return Tracker]

The Seahawks hoped to circle back to Kendrick via a practice squad spot, per ESPN.com’s Brady Henderson, but this waiver claim will scuttle that. Kendrick played in 10 games as a Seattle reserve this season, intercepting two passes. But the team reduced his playing time and cut the fourth-year player following a mistake on the Titans’ punt-return touchdown in Week 12.

Kendrick has now been cut and claimed twice apiece by NFC West teams this year. The Rams waived him upon setting their initial 53-man roster in August, leading to a Seahawks claim. He now returns to L.A., which has seen cornerback present some health concerns this season.

McCreary heads to IR a month after being acquired from the Titans via trade. The fourth-year cover man must miss at least four games. Witherspoon has missed the past nine Rams contests, dealing with a broken clavicle. Sean McVay, however, expressed optimism Witherspoon and Atwell would return to practice this week.

A sixth-round Rams draftee in 2022, Kendrick started 18 games for the team from 2022-23. He played 76% of the Rams’ 2023 defensive snaps, helping the team back to the playoffs, but suffered an ACL tear before the 2024 season. Kendrick logged a mere 18% snap rate with Seattle this season. The Rams did not make a notable CB move this offseason, seeing a much-rumored Jalen Ramsey return not come to fruition. They did obtain McCreary at the deadline but will now need to make some adjustments after the ex-Titan slot cog suffered a hip injury Sunday.

McCreary has not made an impact as a Ram, seeing all of one defensive snap in four games. The Rams have used Emmanuel Forbes and Cobie Durant as their primary CBs this season, with Darious Williams and Josh Wallace mixing in. Witherspoon started in the two games he played this season, and the 30-year-old defender made 22 starts from 2023-24 with L.A. Witherspoon represents an experienced piece the Rams could redeploy soon, as they make a push for their first No. 1 seed since the Kurt Warner-led 2001 squad went 14-2 en route to Super Bowl XXXVI.

The Rams re-signed Atwell on a one-year, $10MM contract this offseason; he went down with a hamstring injury in October. Atwell has not played since Week 6.

The diminutive wideout has an eye-popping stat line this season, catching four passes but totaling 164 yards on those plays. An 88-yard TD keyed this explosive start. After a 562-yard 2024, Atwell stands to contribute again as a tertiary target alongside Puka Nacua and Davante Adams down the stretch. Atwell still sits third among Rams WRs in yardage, and with Tyler Higbee on IR, the team could use auxiliary help in a hotly contested NFC West race.

NFL Minor Transactions: 11/25/25

November 25th, 2025 at 6:35pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Detroit Lions

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

  • Activated from IR: OT Barry Wesley
  • Signed to active roster: RB Evan Hull

Seattle Seahawks

In addition to waiving cornerback Arthur Maulet, the Lions also moved on from defensive lineman Quinton Jefferson and cornerback Nick Whiteside. According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, these moves were likely made in anticipation of upcoming activations from IR and PUP.

The Patriots started preparing for Will Campbell and Jared Wilson‘s absences by adding some experienced offensive line depth, as the team snagged Thayer Munford off the Browns practice squad today. The former seventh-round pick was mostly a part-time starter during his three seasons with the Raiders, although he did start a career-high 10 games for the organization in 2023.

Wednesday NFL Transactions: NFC West

August 27th, 2025 at 6:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These 49ers, Cardinals, Rams and Seahawks moves are noted below.

Arizona Cardinals

Signed to practice squad:

Los Angeles Rams

Signed to practice squad:

San Francisco 49ers

Signed: 

Claimed:

Released from IR (via settlement):

Signed to practice squad:

Seattle Seahawks

Signed:

Claimed:

Released:

Signed to practice squad:

Rams Cut Derion Kendrick, Move To 53

August 26th, 2025 at 9:23pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here is how the Rams trimmed their roster to 53 by today’s deadline:

Released:

Waived/injured:

Waived:

Previously a Kyren Williams backup, Rivers had been on the Rams’ 53-man roster throughout last season, playing in all 17 games for the team. But the team drafted Jarquez Hunter in the fourth round this year. Hunter joins Williams and 2024 third-round pick Blake Corum in a three-man backfield currently.

Kendrick started 18 games between 2022 and ’23, re-signing with the Rams in June. In between, however, the young cornerback suffered an ACL tear that sidetracked his career. Kendrick went down in July 2024. The Rams already waived Kendrick and then re-signed him, making it possible they will opt to continue this relationship via a practice squad offer. Sixteen players comprise modern NFL P-squads, but Kendrick being cut is certainly step back for a player who saw a 76% defensive snap rate during his most recent healthy season.

Rams Re-Sign CB Derion Kendrick

June 17th, 2025 at 12:59pm CST by Adam La Rose

Last week, the Rams waived Derion Kendrick. That move appeared to set the fourth-year cornerback up for a move to a new team late in free agency, but he will instead remain in Los Angeles.

Kendrick has been re-signed, ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes. The 24-year-old missed all of last season after suffering an ACL tear in training camp. During his two healthy seasons, though, Kendrick totaled 32 appearances and 18 starts.

The former sixth-rounder recorded 14 pass deflections during his first two years with Los Angeles, and in 2022 he notched his first career interception. A notable workload would have likely been in store once again last year if not for the injury, one which left Kendrick’s roster spot in danger this summer. One year remained on his rookie contract prior to last week’s decision, but now a new arrangement (no doubt on a short-term accord) is in place.

Cobie Durant and Ahkello Witherspoon remain in the fold as key figures at the cornerback spot for Los Angeles entering 2025. The team also has former first-rounder Emmanuel Forbes and special teamer Shaun Jolly on the books ahead of training camp. Kendrick’s quick re-signing is certainly a positive indication regarding his health, and he should be able to carve out at least a rotational defensive role provided he can avoid a repeat of last year’s injury.

The Rams have long been connected to a trade for Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey. The All-Pro played under Sean McVay from 2019-22, and a reunion remains something to watch for as the summer plays out. Some thought the decision to part ways with Kendrick was a sign a Ramsey trade could be in store; instead, the former is now back in place while the latter continues to await his future.

Minor NFL Transactions: 6/13/25

June 13th, 2025 at 8:25pm CST by Adam La Rose

Friday’s minor moves:

Los Angeles Rams

Minnesota Vikings

Seattle Seahawks

  • Released: TE Mitch Van Vooren

Kendrick missed all of last season due to an ACL tear. Prior to that, though, he started 18 games across two seasons. The 24-year-old will look to find a new opportunity in time for training camp once he clears waivers. Long connected to a potential re-acquisition of Jalen Ramsey, meanwhile, it will be interesting to see if today’s Rams move is soon followed by another at the cornerback spot.

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/26/24

July 26th, 2024 at 6:46pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s minor moves to wrap up the week:

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Green Bay Packers

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Rams

New England Patriots

Philadelphia Eagles

  • Activated from active/NFI list: WR Shaquan Davis

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Blair reunites with the Seahawks after two years away. A former second-round pick for Seattle, Blair spent parts of 2022 with the Panthers and Eagles before spending last year out with an Achilles tear.

Cannella, who formerly went by Sal, played for the Arlington Renegades of the UFL earlier this year, leading the league with six receiving touchdowns and finishing first among tight ends with 53 catches and 497 yards. He’s been in an out of the NFL with stints in the USFL and XFL before; the Bucs are hoping this time will stick.

Rams CB Derion Kendrick Suffers ACL Tear

July 26th, 2024 at 8:10am CST by Adam La Rose

JULY 26: Testing confirmed Kendrick did indeed tear his ACL, Schefter notes. Rams head coach Sean McVay said he will undergo surgery “in a couple weeks” before turning his attention to rehab. Kendrick should next take the field in 2025, the final year of his rookie contract.

JULY 25: One of the Rams’ first training camp practices may have resulted in a major blow to the team’s secondary. Third-year cornerback Derion Kendrick is feared to have suffered a torn ACL, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

Further testing will take place, but the worst-case scenario being confirmed would represent a major hit to Los Angeles’ defense. Kendrick, a sixth-rounder in 2022, logged six starts as a rookie and another 12 last year. He was projected to remain a key member of the team’s secondary in 2024, but his availability for any portion of the coming season would be all-but eliminated if tests for a tear came back positive.

Kendrick recorded his first career interception in 2023, and to date he has racked up 14 pass deflections. He made notable improvements in coverage last year compared to his rookie slate, allowing a completion percentage of 57.1% and a passer rating of 89.7 as the nearest defender. Improving further in his third year would have given the Rams a cost-effective first-team cover man.

Instead, Los Angeles will be forced to look elsewhere on the CB depth chart if Kendrick is indeed sidelined for the campaign. The team reunited with a familiar face in Darious Williams this offseason, bringing him back into the fold on a three-year deal. The Rams also took a flier on former Bills All-Pro Tre’Davious White, adding him on a one-year pact carrying a base value of $4.5MM. White’s health will be a question mark, but if he can remain on the field this year he will provide his new team with a starting-caliber option.

Los Angeles also has the likes of Cobie Durant and Tre’Vius Tomlinson in place as options to fill the vacancy an ACL tear on the part of Kendrick would create. The team has just over $8MM in cap space, so a modest veteran addition could be feasible if one is deemed necessary.

DB Notes: Packers, Chinn, CJGJ, Roby, Rams

October 19th, 2023 at 9:43am CST by Sam Robinson

The Packers do not likely have a starting spot waiting for Eric Stokes upon his return. As we heard in June, the 2021 first-round pick is on track to return as a backup. Green Bay has Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas and Keisean Nixon as its top three corners, and unlike 2022, the team is not planning on changing Douglas’ position to accommodate a cornerback surplus. Douglas moving to safety appears a non-starter, per The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman. Last season, the Packers moved Douglas to a slot role to make room for the returning Alexander. After Stokes’ midseason Lisfranc injury, Douglas moved back to his more natural boundary position.

Stokes, who underwent foot and knee surgeries this offseason, remains on the Packers’ reserve/PUP list. The team designated him for return two weeks ago, setting his activation deadline at Oct. 24. Stokes was running at full speed in July and would have been ready to come back had multiple hamstring issues not slowed him during training camp, Schneidman adds. Stokes fared better as a rookie, when the Pack were down Alexander, than he did last season. Pro Football Focus graded Stokes outside the top 100 among corners last season, and this backup role does not present an ideal rebound opportunity.

Here is the latest from NFL secondaries:

  • Mentioned as a trade candidate last week, Jeremy Chinn now looks likely to finish his contract year in Carolina. The fourth-year Panthers safety sustained a significant quadriceps injury that ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter expects to sideline him for up to six weeks. Despite being a versatile cog who has been a Panthers regular throughout his career, Chinn has seen his playing time dip in Ejiro Evero‘s defense this season. After logging snap rates over 90% from 2020-22, the former Defensive Rookie of the Year runner-up has played 52% of Carolina’s defensive snaps. The Panthers prioritized Chinn as a foundational piece before last year’s deadline; his stock has fallen since.
  • Bradley Roby avoided the worst-case scenario after suffering a pectoral injury in Week 6. The recent Eagles addition sustained a pectoral strain, per NFL reporter Jordan Schultz, who adds the 10th-year cornerback will avoid IR. In the two games since being signed and quickly promoted to the 53-man roster, Roby has played 46% of Philadelphia’s defensive snaps. The Eagles have already lost their top slot corner, Avonte Maddox. Roby’s setback represents another blow for the defending NFC champions, but the 31-year-old cover man should be back fairly soon.
  • C.J. Gardner-Johnson is navigating a longer return timetable, suffering a torn pec in Week 2. The Lions safety, who led the NFL in INTs during his Eagles one-off last season, is believed to be months away from coming back — if he is to return at all — according to the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett. Pectoral tears often end players’ seasons, so it will be interesting if Gardner-Johnson becomes a true candidate to come off IR down the stretch — perhaps if Detroit makes the playoffs.
  • Rams corner Derion Kendrick faces two misdemeanor charges in connection with his recent gun arrest, Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times notes. Arrested Monday morning, Kendrick was charged with carrying a concealed weapon and possessing a loaded firearm. While teams regularly deploy players after arrests, waiting for NFL suspensions to come down later, Kendrick did not practice with the Rams upon his release from custody. The 2022 sixth-round pick has started all six Rams games this year. Discipline should be expected, but until a ban surfaces, Kendrick will likely continue to suit up for the team.
  • In a Ravens workout that led to safety Andrew Adams being signed, Eric Rowe received an audition, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. An eight-year veteran, Rowe spent the past four seasons with the Dolphins. Rowe, 31, signed a one-year, $1.32MM Panthers deal this offseason but did not make the team. Carolina released Rowe from its practice squad last month.

Rams CB Derion Kendrick Arrested On Gun Charge

October 16th, 2023 at 5:21pm CST by Sam Robinson

Hours after the Rams’ Week 6 win over the Cardinals, cornerback Derion Kendrick was arrested on a felony gun charge in Los Angeles, TMZ reports.

A traffic violation led to police finding a gun and marijuana in Kendrick’s car, per TMZ. The second-year cornerback faces a charge of carrying a concealed weapon. Kendrick, 23, was booked shortly after 2am PT and, as of Monday afternoon, remains in custody.

After letting Darious Williams walk in free agency (to the Jaguars) in 2022, the Rams traded Jalen Ramsey to the Dolphins in March. The team signed off on a full-scale reboot at cornerback, moving on from the bastions from Super Bowl LVI. Kendrick is a key part of the team’s solution, having started all six Rams games this season. The 6-foot defender started six games last season and played 50% of the Rams’ defensive snaps. He has been on the field for 96% of L.A.’s defensive plays this year.

The Rams chose Kendrick in the 2022 sixth round. The Day 3 prospect played at Clemson and Georgia in college, being part of the Bulldogs’ 2021 national championship-winning defense — one that saw five of its starters drafted in the ’22 first round — in his lone season in Athens. Kendrick joins fellow 2022 Day 3 Rams draftee Cobie Durant and veteran free agent pickup Ahkello Witherspoon as the team’s cornerback regulars this season. Through six games, Kendrick has made 25 tackles and tallied three passes defensed. Pro Football Focus ranks Kendrick just outside the top 60 at corner this year.

While this arrest is unlikely to cost Kendrick his Rams roster spot, a suspension should be expected. The NFL’s personal conduct policy does not require a conviction for punishment to be levied, though a ban may not come this year. Varying delays in case adjudication can lead to suspensions being tabled. A February 2021 incident did not bring a Marcus Maye suspension until late September of this year. Two Frank Clark gun-related arrests from 2021 did not produce a suspension until midway through the 2022 campaign. But a suspension should be expected at some point in the not-too-distant future.

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