The Rams opened NFL trade deadline week by acquiring cornerback Roger McCreary from the Tennessee Titans on Monday in a move that should bolster their pass-coverage depth.
The Rams are sending a conditional fifth-round pick in the 2026 draft to Tennessee in exchange for McCreary and a conditional sixth-round pick in 2026.
In a corresponding move, the Rams placed wide receiver Tutu Atwell on injured reserve after he was limited to just 10 snaps against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Oct. 19 coming off a hamstring injury that kept him out against the Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 12.
McCreary, 25, has started in three of the eight games he’s played in this season, and he had an interception in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos. In a loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, the 2022 second-round pick earned his first sack of the season. Over his career, he has 253 tackles and 17 passes defensed.
McCreary is playing in the final year of his rookie contract. The rebuilding 1-7 Titans are expected to move several players ahead of Saturday’s NFL trade deadline.
For the Rams, McCreary could potentially take over for Darious Williams and see playing time alongside Cobie Durant and Emmanuel Forbes Jr. as a slot corner. With Ahkello Witherspoon (fractured clavicle) not expected back until the end of the season, McCreary should add a level of physicality to the Rams’ secondary. The Rams rank 14th in pass defense (208 yards per game) entering Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints.
Puka Nacua set to return Sunday
Speaking to reporters Monday, Rams coach Sean McVay said he expects star wide receiver Puka Nacua and offensive tackle Rob Havenstein to practice this week and play Sunday against the Saints.
Nacua missed the Rams’ win over the Jaguars in London because of an ankle injury. Despite missing the game, he still ranks fourth in NFL receiving yards (616). Havenstein hasn’t played since sustaining an ankle injury against the Colts in Week 4.
Nacua’s expected return will help soften the blow of Atwell being out for at least the next four games.
McVay told reporters that Williams sustained an injury similar to a lat strain against the Jaguars and might not play against the Saints.
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