Head coach Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams got back to work in Week 13. The Rams also had a busy day in the front office, including reuniting with cornerback Derion Kendrick and adding tight end Nick Vannett.
LA also officially welcomed back veterans at cornerback and wide receiver, though they suffered yet another costly loss at the former position.
All of this comes as part of the Rams’ slew of roster moves before facing the Carolina Panthers.
Derion Kendrick, Nick Vannett Timely Additions for Rams
GettyDerion Kendrick #1of the Los Angeles Rams reacts against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Rams were awarded Kendrick off waivers from the Seattle Seahawks, who waived him on Wednesday. Kendrick, 25, cleared waivers and signed with the team that drafted him No. 212 overall in 2022.
The Seahawks claimed Kendrick when the Rams waived him at the end of the preseason.
He has played in 10 games this season, recording 7 total tackles, 5 pass deflections, and a career-high 2 interceptions.
Vannett, whose nickname is “Baby Gronk,” was a third-round pick of the Seahawks, taken 94th overall in 2016. The 32-year-old was on the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad, meaning the Rams had to sign him to their active roster and retain him for at least three weeks.
Vannett has caught 108 passes for 1,012 yards and 9 touchdowns in his career.
Neither Vannett’s nor Kendrick’s arrivals are coincidental, with the Rams navigating injuries on both sides of the ball.
Rams Place Roger McCreary on IR
GettyRoger McCreary #21 of the Tennessee Titans celebrates an interception against the Denver Broncos.
Vannett’s arrival softens the blow of the Rams placing starter and 2021 Super Bowl champion Tyler Higbee on injured reserve due to an ankle injury. Higbee must miss at least three more games before he can return.
Kendrick’s return is similarly well-timed. The Rams placed 2025 trade deadline acquisition Roger McCreary on injured reserve due to a groin issue.
McVay called the injury a “bummer,” especially after losing Quentin Lake to a dislocated elbow.
“It’s such a bummer. Because you lose Q, you go get Roger in the instance that if something were to happen to Q, and you lose both of those guys,” McVay told reporters during his media availability on November 26.
“We got Derion Kendrick coming back, where we claimed him off of waivers. And he’s a guy that has familiarity and flexibility both inside and outside. And this is that time of year, but we do feel fortunate that guys that you’re asking to step up are people that understand what’s going on, have real game experience, and that means a lot this time of year.”
McCreary posted on X after the move to have “Trust & Faith [praying hands emoji] His plans will never fail.”
Fortunately for the Rams, Kendrick and Vannett are not the only roster reinforcements.
Rams Activate Ahkello Witherspoon, Tutu Atwell
GettyAhkello Witherspoon #4 of the Los Angeles Rams during the NFL playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Part of McVay’s optimism about the Rams’ roster depth is the return of two key contributors in cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon and wide receiver Tutu Atwell. Both players have been on IR for the past month-plus.
Witherspoon broke his collarbone and has not played since the Rams’ Week 2 win over the Tennessee Titans.
Atwell injured his hamstring in LA’s Week 7 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
McVay touted what Atwell and Witherspoon will contribute to their respective sides of the ball now that they are back on the active roster. But their greatest attribute is the familiarity McVay mentioned, as the Rams continue pushing toward the postseason.
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