Nov 11, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (4) against the Miami Dolphins in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Nov 11, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (4) against the Miami Dolphins in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Ahkello Witherspoon Out For Season

Originally posted on Rams Newswire | By Ron Gutterman | Last updated Jan 12, 2026 1:29 PM ET

The Los Angeles Rams did not have a great defensive performance on Saturday afternoon against the Carolina Panthers. Bryce Young did not have an elite game, but he did have 264 passing yards, including nine catches and 134 yards with a touchdown to Jalen Coker. It was a particularly tough day for the secondary, including Ahkello Witherspoon.

Witherspoon entered his third season with the Rams figuring to be a great piece in the secondary, but injuries marred his campaign. He missed over two months from Sep. 14 through Nov. 30, then returned to end the season in a limited role. He finally came back seemingly ready to go for the playoffs, but again managed only three games before re-injuring his shoulder in the first half against the Panthers.

The Rams are not going to have their corner for the remainder of the season, regardless of how far the team makes it, as he suffered the same shoulder injury that cost him months earlier in the year, via Stu Jackson of TheRams.com:

Sean McVay said Ahkello Witherspoon re-aggravated the shoulder injury he sustained in the regular season and will miss the remainder of the playoffs. Witherspoon will be placed on IR

— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) January 12, 2026

This is a massive loss for a unit that was already struggling mightily, preparing to face a team that has several great receiving options in the Chicago Bears. This puts more pressure on Cobie Durant, Darious Williams, Emmanuel Forbes Jr. and Quentin Lake to piece together 60 minutes of work against DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Luther Burden and Colston Loveland.

The Rams’ secondary has been one of their known weak points all season long, and any injuries to the unit doesn’t help. However, L.A. could easily still be considered favorites to beat the Bears, as they have been in the conversation for Super Bowl contention all season long.

Rams optimistic for Kevin Dotson return

In a bit of good injury news, the Rams are optimistic that offensive lineman Kevin Dotson can return to the lineup against the Bears. Dotson has been out with an ankle sprain since the middle of Week 16’s battle against the Seattle Seahawks.

The Rams are 11-3 in games that Dotson starts and finishes this season, and are 2-2 in games he either missed entirely or left early. They are going to need their offense at full force to contend with the Bears, who have scratched and clawed their way to the Divisional Round against all odds given where they were just a year ago.

This article first appeared on Rams Newswire and was syndicated with permission.

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