11 Darious Williams DB

Williams signed a one-year restricted free agent tender with the Rams on Wednesday, Stu Jackson of the team's official site reports.

The Rams placed a first-round tender on Williams this offseason, a move that signaled a strong desire to keep him around for 2021. Look for Williams to head into next season as a key piece of the secondary, coming off a 2020 campaign in which he posted career highs in interceptions (four), tackles (44) and pass breakups (14) .

The Rams extended Williams a first-round tender Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

A first-round tender essentially assures that Williams will be back in Los Angeles next season, in addition to guaranteeing him a salary of no less than $4.77 million. Williams, who turned 28 years old today, is coming off the best year of his career and has emerged as a legitimate playmaker in the Rams secondary.

Williams recorded 44 tackles (37 solo), 14 pass breakups and four interceptions across 16 regular-season games with the Rams in 2020.

Williams managed career-high numbers across the board in 2020, playing 824 defensive snaps compared to 221 snaps in 2019. His 14 pass breakups tied for 12th in the NFL. The soon-to-be 28-year-old is set to become a restricted free agent this offseason.

Williams played 47 of 49 defensive snaps and recorded two solo tackles and a pass breakup during Sunday's 28-17 loss to Miami.

The second-year Ram has started six of eight games and is playing the majority of defensive snaps. Williams appears locked into his extended role and ranks 15th among eligible cornerbacks, according to PFF position grades. He's probably still not a serviceable fantasy asset in most settings, though.

Williams (ankle) is active for Sunday's game versus the Bills, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Williams has a consistent role on the Rams' defense, as he's logged at least 89 percent of the defensive snaps in each game to begin the season. He's produced well, too, recording five solo tackles, a pass breakup and an interception.

Williams (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's contest at Buffalo.

Williams operated under a DNP/LP/LP practice schedule this week, so the arrow seems to be pointing in the right direction for an appearance Sunday. The reserve corner so far has earned 46 percent of the Rams' snaps on defense through two games this season, which would fall in David Long's lap if Williams is inhibited or absent this weekend.

Williams finished the 2019 season with 15 tackles, four pass breakups and two interceptions over 12 games.

Williams barely played on defense over the first 14 weeks, as he logged 175 of his 221 defensive snaps over the last three weeks since Troy Hill dealt with a fractured thumb. The 26-year-old corner allowed 9.4 yards per target and a touchdown. He's under contract for another season, but when the crew is healthy again, he projects as a special-teams player.

Williams (ankle) is absent from the Rams' final injury report ahead of Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.

Williams logged a full workload at Friday's practice, which was enough for the Rams to consider him ready to go Sunday. Barring any setbacks, look for him to resume his usual role providing depth in the team's secondary.

Williams (ankle) is out for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Mike Jurecki of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Williams was unable to get on the practice field at all during the week. The Rams will be without some of their depth in the secondary for a third-straight game as a result.

Williams (ankle) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Ravens, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.

Williams hasn't practiced since suffering the ankle injury Week 10 and will miss his second straight game. The Rams are otherwise healthy at cornerback, so the defense is unlikely to be impacted by his absence.

Williams (ankle) is out for Sunday's game against Chicago.

Williams was unable to participate in practice all week after suffering the injury in Week 10. Accordingly, the Rams will be without some of their special-teams depth.

Williams (ankle) won't return to Sunday's game against the Steelers, Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com reports.

Williams was forced to leave the game in the second quarter, and couldn't give it a go after getting extra treatment during halftime. The UAB product is primarily used on special teams, so his absence likely won't effect the defense.

Williams (ankle) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Steelers.

It's unclear how Williams picked up the injury, but he was forced to exit the game in the second quarter. He'll likely get some extra treatment during halftime, but as long as he's sidelined, look for David Long to see a slight bumped in snaps.

Williams was claimed off waivers by the Rams on Monday, Myles Simmons of the Rams' official site reports.

Williams appeared in three games with the Ravens before being waived Oct. 6. He'll provide depth at cornerback, but he could see playing time on special teams sooner rather than later.

Williams was waived by the Ravens on Saturday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Baltimore let Williams go in order to make room on the roster for the returning Jimmy Smith. Williams played in three games this season, but only saw time on the field via special teams. The Ravens will likely look to sign him to their practice squad assuming he clears waivers.