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Ahkello Witherspoon

Rams To Re-Sign CB Ahkello Witherspoon

March 19th, 2025 at 12:35pm CST by Sam Robinson

A third Ahkello Witherspoon Rams season is on tap. The veteran cornerback is returning to Los Angeles on a one-year deal, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler reports.

It took until late June for Witherspoon to rejoin the Rams in 2023 and until September in 2024; the team will give him an earlier start in 2025. Witherspoon, who will turn 30 on Friday, has started 22 games for the Rams over the past two seasons.

The Rams used Witherspoon as a full-time starter in 2023, doing so after adding him June 29. The post-minicamp addition led to 17 starts, as Witherspoon served as a veteran presence along with Darious Williams at corner last season. With Tre’Davious White not working out on a one-year deal in 2024, Witherspoon moved up to the Rams’ active roster — after returning on a practice squad deal — and logged a 58% snap share on defense.

Intercepting three passes in 2023, Witherspoon added one pick and broke up nine more passes last season. His coverage metrics worsened, however. After allowing just 48.1% of the passes thrown his way to be completed in 2023, Witherspoon saw that number rise to 65.3 in 2024. He yielded 8.5 yards per target and a 96.9 passer rating as a the closest defender last season as well. Pro Football Focus saw the 6-foot-2 cover man as a middling corner, however, ranking him 53rd among regulars in 2024.

This agreement will give Witherspoon a chance to play a ninth NFL season. A 62-game starter, Witherspoon was a regular first-stringer on the 49ers’ Super Bowl LIV-bound team; though, he had been demoted to backup by the time that game came around. Witherspoon still started four more playoff games since, including both of the Rams’ contests last season. Witherspoon made a critical contribution during the Rams’ wild-card romp over the Vikings, stripping Sam Darnold of the ball to allow for a 57-yard scoop-and-score from Jared Verse.

Stopping through Seattle and Pittsburgh between his California stays, Witherspoon will continue to supply experience for a young Rams CB corps. Though, he is not the only such option. Williams, who re-signed with the Rams in 2024, is still under contract ahead of an age-32 season. Two 30-somethings at corner would be an interesting route for the Rams, who still have plans with Williams due to a recent development. Williams locked in $8MM, between a $5MM base salary and $3MM roster bonus, after remaining on the Rams’ roster by Day 5 of the 2025 league year. In addition to multiyear staple Cobie Durant, the Rams still have Emmanuel Forbes — whose first-round contract they claimed via waivers — rostered as well.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/22/24

October 22nd, 2024 at 8:26pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Here are today’s minor moves from around the NFL:

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Minnesota Vikings

New York Giants

Pittsburgh Steelers

Washington Commanders

The Ravens finally activated Maulet to the 53-man roster at the very end of his 21-day return window. The veteran slot cornerback underwent arthroscopic knee surgery during the preseason, but dealt with a minor hamstring injury upon his return to practice. To make room, Baltimore waived Ross, a special teams starter, likely hoping to add him back to the practice squad if he clears waivers. Maulet’s return could not be coming at a better time for a Ravens pass defense that was already struggling before starting cornerback Marlon Humphrey left Monday night’s victory over the Buccaneers with an injury.

 

The Panthers signed Gill off the Lions’ practice squad and Harris off the Dolphins’ practice squad to fortify their defense on Tuesday. They also released Haynes and waived Wooten and Smith as part of an overhaul of their weak front seven.

 

The Giants signed Watts from their practice squad to strengthen the interior of their defensive line while waiving Basham, a former Bills second-round pick who arrived in New York via trade in August 2023. Giants general manager Joe Schoen was the assistant GM in Buffalo when Basham was drafted, while Giants head coach Brian Daboll was the Bills’ offensive coordinator. Schoen traded a sixth-round pick in exchange for Basham and a seventh-rounder from the Bills just before the 2023 regular season, but Basham did not record a single sack in 13 games as a Giant.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/19/24

October 19th, 2024 at 6:29pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s minor moves and standard gameday practice squad callups:

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Autry was hit with a six-game PED suspension in July, leaving the Texans without a key figure along the defensive line. The free agent pickup could have suited up by means of Houston using his one-week roster exemption; instead, he has been activated in time for Week 7. Autry, 34, posted a career-high 11 sacks last season and he will look to make an immediate impact during his Texans debut. Especially with Mario Edwards having been issued a four-game suspension of his own earlier this week, he should have a notable role right away.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/5/24

October 5th, 2024 at 7:29pm CST by Adam La Rose

Saturday’s gameday elevations and other minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New York Giants

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Washington Commanders

Mariota returned to practice on Wednesday, which was the earliest point at which he could be designated for return. As a result, it comes as little surprise he has been brought back onto Washington’s active roster. The 30-year-old is in his first season with the Commanders, and today’s move paves the way for him to handle backup duties moving forward.

Ngakoue remained on the free agent market into the start of the regular season. He was not connected to a Ravens reunion, but one took place last week. The journeyman sack artist had a brief spell with Baltimore in 2020, and he posted three sacks in 11 games. Ngakoue, 29, had one-and done campaigns in Vegas, Indianapolis and Chicago before taking a Ravens practice squad deal. He will make his debut tomorrow and aim to provide depth along the edge.

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/28/24

September 28th, 2024 at 7:27pm CST by Ely Allen

Minor transactions and practice squad callups for the Week 4 weekend:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

  • Elevated: G Kyle Hergel

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Washington Commanders

Rams, CB Ahkello Witherspoon Agree To Deal

June 29th, 2023 at 2:06pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Rams are set to add a veteran presence to their secondary. Los Angeles is signing Ahkello Witherspoon, as first reported by Jordan Schultz of the Score (Twitter link). The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue adds (via Twitter) that it is a one-year deal.

The 28-year-old began his career in San Francisco, starting 33 of 47 contests there. His performance with the 49ers eventually led him to Pittsburgh in 2021, where he was a key member of the team’s secondary. Expectations were high heading into the following campaign, but things did not go according to plan.

Witherspoon was limited to just four games played in 2022 due to hamstring injuries. Despite having recently signed a two-year extension in Pittsburgh, he was released last month. That left the former third-rounder in search of a new home, and the Rams could represent an intriguing opportunity for him to rebuild his value.

In an offseason filled with cost-shedding moves, Los Angeles has seen a number of corners depart in one form or another. The Jalen Ramsey trade created a signficant vacancy on the backend, and David Long signed with the Raiders as part of the latter team’s efforts to re-tool their secondary. 2022 Rams contributors Troy Hill and Grant Haley remain unsigned, while special teamer Shaun Jolly was re-upped.

Witherspoon started all four of his Steelers appearances last season, recording one interception and a pair of pass deflections. His coverage statistics in terms of completion percentage and passer rating allowed were the worst of his career, however, which helped inform Pittsburgh’s decision to move on and contributed to the Colorado alum’s wait on the open market. In Los Angeles, he should compete for signficant playing time.

The Rams lack experience at the CB spot heading into 2023, a season in which plenty of expectations will be placed on recent draftees Robert Rochell and Cobie Durant. The team’s only investment at the position in this year’s sizeable draft class was sixth-rounder Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson. At 6-2, Witherspoon will provide not only a veteran presence but also length among the Rams’ cornerbacks contingent.

L.A. ranked top-10 in interceptions last season, but the team struggled as a whole against the pass in their underwhelming Super Bowl defense. Witherspoon will aim to assist their new-look secondary in taking a needed step forward, while remaining healthy and boosting his free agent stock along with way.

Steelers To Release CB Ahkello Witherspoon

May 17th, 2023 at 9:31am CST by Sam Robinson

Following an injury-plagued season, Ahkello Witherspoon will be in search of a new team. The Steelers informed the veteran cornerback they are releasing him, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

This comes a week after the team parted ways with Arthur Maulet. Acquired via trade from the Seahawks in 2021, Witherspoon worked as a Steelers starter — when healthy. But hamstring trouble nagged Witherspoon for much of last season, continuing a trend. The Steelers will create $4MM in cap space by making this move, bringing them up to more than $12MM in total.

A former 49ers third-round pick, Witherspoon signed a two-year extension worth $8MM with the Steelers in 2022. That deal, which came just as the team let Joe Haden hit free agency (a path that preceded the veteran’s retirement), included starter expectations. Witherspoon, 27, started four games last season. But his hamstring issues led to 13 missed games. And the lost season will lead Witherspoon back to free agency.

Witherspoon hit the market in 2021, signing a one-year, $4MM deal with the Seahawks. But Seattle traded the 6-foot-2 cover man to Pittsburgh before he suited up in a regular-season game for the team. Witherspoon generated extensive interest in 2021, and Pro Football Focus ranked him as a top-20 corner that year and in 2020. But unavailability has dogged the Colorado alum for many years. Witherspoon has not played in more than 11 games since the 2018 season and has never played more than 14 games in a single NFL campaign.

Following their Haden separation and their then-record-setting Minkah Fitzpatrick extension, the Steelers committed to a lower-cost setup at corner last year. Witherspoon and Levi Wallace were attached to $4MM-per-year deals, and Cameron Sutton finished out a two-year, $9MM pact. Witherspoon went down in Week 3, returned to action in a blowout loss to the Eagles — a game that featured four Philly aerial strikes of at least 27 yards. The Steelers benched Witherspoon during that game, and he did not play again last season.

The Steelers have made major changes at corner this offseason. They signed All-Decade-teamer Patrick Peterson and used a second-round pick to add Joey Porter Jr. Veteran slot player Chandon Sullivan is also in the fold. Wallace remains on the team, as does spot starter James Pierre. The team also signed XFLer Luq Barcoo earlier this week.

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/28/22

December 28th, 2022 at 8:50pm CST by Adam La Rose

Here are Wednesday’s minor moves around the league:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Detroit Lions

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

New York Giants

Pittsburgh Steelers

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders 

Steelers Activate DE DeMarvin Leal, Place CB Ahkello Witherspoon On IR

December 3rd, 2022 at 9:16pm CST by Ely Allen

Rookie third-round defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal was activated today from injured reserve, according to the Steelers’ official Twitter account. To make room for Leal on the active roster, Pittsburgh assigned injured cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon to IR.

Leal needed a moment to adjust to the game at the NFL-level but was slowly carving out a role for himself on the Steelers defense at the start of the season. Leal played fairly minimal snap shares in the team’s first three games. After being given more of an opportunity in a Week 4 loss to the Jets, Leal earned his first career start in a road game at Buffalo. A knee injury would force Leal to the IR and cause him to miss the next six games.

The Steelers defensive line is one of their deepest position groups. Leal will likely be worked in slowly as a rotation substitute for starters Larry Ogunjobi, Montravius Adams, and Cameron Heyward. He’ll compete with Chris Wormley, Tyson Alualu, and Isaiahh Loudermilk for those backup snaps. Leal might be able to get some additional run due to his ability as a pass rusher. With star edge rusher T.J. Watt and Malik Reed both questionable heading into this week’s matchup against the Falcons, Leal might hear his name called to go get after the quarterback.

Witherspoon has had a disappointing second season in Pittsburgh. Despite injuries keeping him out of nearly half the team’s games last year, Witherspoon started the first three games at cornerback for the Steelers this season. Since then, a hamstring injury has held him out of seven of the last eight games.

Listed as doubtful coming into this weekend, moving Witherspoon to IR doesn’t change anything in the team’s starting lineup, solely clearing a roster spot for Leal. Levi Wallace will continue to start in place of Witherspoon during his extended absence alongside Cameron Sutton.

Steelers Rule Out Minkah Fitzpatrick, Top 3 CBs For Week 6

October 14th, 2022 at 3:32pm CST by Sam Robinson

Mike Tomlin‘s .500-or-better streak is facing perhaps its biggest threat yet. After the Steelers’ 38-3 loss to the Bills, they will be without nearly their entire starting secondary against the Buccaneers.

Pittsburgh ruled out Minkah Fitzpatrick with the knee injury he sustained in Buffalo and will also sit cornerbacks Cameron Sutton, Ahkello Witherspoon and Levi Wallace against Tampa Bay. Hamstring injuries will sideline Sutton and Witherspoon, while Wallace suffered a concussion against his former team. Starting safety Terrell Edmunds missed Week 5 with a concussion but practiced fully all week.

Since the Steelers acquired Fitzpatrick from the Dolphins in September 2019, they have only been without him in one game — due to COVID-19 last season. Fitzpatrick played 96% of Pittsburgh’s defensive snaps last week. The team rewarded its two-time All-Pro this summer with a four-year, $72.99MM extension. The team re-signed Witherspoon and added Wallace — each on low-cost contracts.

Sutton and Wallace played against the Bills, while Witherspoon will miss a third straight game. The team started Arthur Maulet in place of Witherspoon in Buffalo; James Pierre is the team’s only other healthy corner on the 53-man roster. Former second-round picks Josh Jackson and Quincy Wilson reside on Pittsburgh’s practice squad, which houses four corners. Duke Dawson and second-year UDFA Mark Gilbert are on that 16-man P-squad. Still, this creates quite the advantageous spot for Tom Brady and his receiving corps.

The Steelers rank 30th in total defense and 26th in points allowed. They started 1-3 last season and began 1-4 during Ben Roethlisberger‘s 2019 injury season but rallied back to .500-or-better marks in each year. The only season in which the Steelers sat four games under .500 during Tomlin’s tenure came in 2013, when the team rallied back to 8-8.

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