WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – Cornerback Darious Williams has been placed on the injured reserve list, the Rams announced Thursday.
Williams will miss at least the first four games of the season and is ineligible to practice until Week 5 of the NFL season.
The Rams open the season with a Sunday night rematch at the Lions. All indications pointed to Williams being the starting cornerback in Week 1 since he had returned to practice over the last two weeks.
Coach Sean McVay said that Williams had not suffered any setbacks in his recovery a day earlier.
"No, he's doing good," McVay said Wednesday. "He got his hamstring good earlier in camp, but he's making progress."
When defensive coordinator Chris Shula was asked about Williams on Thursday, he said he would defer to McVay.
Williams injured his hamstring on the second day of training camp while covering a deep sideline ball on the last play of practice. He signed a three-year deal worth $22.5 million in March after being released by the Jaguars, where he spent the past two seasons.
The veteran corner recorded four interceptions, two forced fumbles and 53 tackles in 17 games with the Jaguars last season.
With Williams sidelined, Tre’Davious White and Cobie Durant are expected to carry the majority of the workload at the starting cornerback position. The hamstring injury bug is going around as Durant was also listed as a limited participant on Wednesday dealing with a hamstring issue.
If Durant is unable to suit up Sunday, the Rams likely will have to promote one of the undrafted rookies Josh Wallace or Charles Wood to the starting spot. Williams joined Rams cornerback Derion Kendrick, who will be out for the season with a torn ACL, and Tre Tomlinson on the injured reserve list.