Retired safety Eric Weddle rejoined the Los Angeles Rams on Wednesday and could be in the starting lineup for the wild-card matchup with the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night.
Weddle, now 37, was a six-time Pro Bowl selection but last played in 2019. He retired at the end of that season with the Rams and said he wouldn’t stick around for a backup role.
He might not have to worry about being second string as he hits the field with the Rams for practice.
Only two safeties on the active roster are healthy: Terrell Burgess and Nick Scott.
Weddle’s agent, David Canter, announced the move early Wednesday.
Hey @RamsNFL fans…. pic.twitter.com/VTCXbFaIMD
— David Canter (@davidcanter) January 12, 2022
Weddle started all 16 games for the Rams in 2019 with Wade Phillips orchestrating the 3-4 unit. He said following the season finale that he needed surgeries on his shoulder and knee if he wanted to ever seriously consider playing again.
It is unclear whether Weddle passed a physical, typically a requirement to make NFL contracts official, before Canter’s social media announcement. But reports indicate the Rams also had discussions with Weddle in December.
Injuries hit the Rams hard at safety. Jordan Fuller suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 18, and Taylor Rapp left the game with a concussion.
Weddle spent 13 seasons in the NFL with the Chargers, Ravens and Rams and had one full season remaining on his deal when he retired officially on Feb. 6, 2020. He has 29 career interceptions.
–Field Level Media