LOS ANGELES — Asked Wednesday how he felt about being traded from the moribund Tennessee Titans to the competing Rams, cornerback Roger McCreary playfully pointed his index fingers at the reporter.
“Yes,” he said. “Excited.”
McCreary had been told that a trade was likely coming as the Titans played out the string on the final season of his rookie contract. He just didn’t know where he might be headed.
So when told Wednesday it would be the Rams (5-2), he already had a good idea of the type of unit he was joining after playing against the team in Week 2.
“They play tough. They were having fun beating us and stuff,” McCreary said. “I seen it in person and now, still having fun. Guys joke, time to get serious, you can tell that they trust and have fun with each other.”
Midseason acquisition though he may be, McCreary is stepping into a position where the Rams need immediate help.
Secondary reinforcements were already necessary prior to the bye week with cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon recovering from a collarbone injury and depth a concern at slot behind safety Quentin Lake.
Then came Darious Williams’ unusual shoulder injury prior to the bye against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Rams head coach Sean McVay has characterized it as a strain of the shoulder and lat, and on Friday ruled Williams as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints (1-7).
While the Rams expect to activate someone from the practice squad in Williams’ absence, McVay also said that McCreary will be active and ready to play against the Saints less than a week after joining the Rams.
The Rams have pointed to McCreary’s versatility since the trade, with his ability to play outside corner and in the slot. And that’s what he’ll be called on to do in Week 9.
“They said they’re going to need me in those spots,” McCreary said. “I know that they want me to help right away.”
McCreary has played all but three of his snaps in the slot this season, which is similar to his usage in 2024. But he played 218 outside corner snaps in 2023 and was primarily an outside corner as a rookie in 2022, so the experience at both spots is there.
“It’s just me getting back in that mode, knowing how people attack me playing outside vs. inside,” McCreary said. “Muscle memory is coming back to me, getting back comfortable out there. I know it’s not going to be hard, I just gotta get back to it.”
It’s been just three days of practice, but similar to McCreary’s positive view of the Rams, he has left a good first impression since joining the team.
“He’s got a great demeanor about himself, he’s got really good movement, short-space quickness, good competitive toughness,” McVay said. “He’s been a quick study. I think you still want to be smart of putting guys in successful situations for what to be expected on such a short week.”
Injury report
Wide receiver Puka Nacua and right tackle Rob Havenstein do not have injury designations for the game against the Saints, McVay said, after missing time with ankle injuries.
McVay said it appears Nacua is back at full strength after his one-game absence.
“His style of play, you want him to feel as good as possible just because of all the different things that we ask of him for his game to fully come to life,” McVay said. “Had a little bit of soreness, but that’s how he’s always feeling. But he looked really good in practice, got two really good work days.”
Safety Kamren Kinchens (toe) also does not have an injury designation this week and is expected to play against the Saints.
