Notebook: Rams’ Eric Weddle gets shot at Super Bowl after ‘whirlwind’ month

Eric Weddle performed 201 regular-season video games over 13 NFL seasons and knew he retired two years in the past with a gap in his resume.

The six-time Professional Bowl security by no means thought of there could be an opportunity to patch it up. However after lately popping out of retirement to play for the Los Angeles Rams, Weddle has a shock probability to earn a Tremendous Bowl ring on Sunday towards the Cincinnati Bengals.

“This has been a whirlwind the previous few weeks,” the 37-year-old Weddle stated throughout Monday’s media availability. “To be on the cusp of one thing that was lacking from my life from a soccer standpoint is unbelievable.”

Weddle performed for Los Angeles in 2019 and Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris contacted him 4 weeks in the past to gauge if he was in form after being out of the sport for 2 years. The workforce had sustained accidents within the secondary and was excited about including somebody conversant in their system.

Weddle selected the night time of Jan. 11 that he would settle for the problem.

“The preliminary shock of all of it — that Tuesday night time, deciding I used to be actually going to do it,” Weddle stated of the method. “I like the sport. It introduced such pleasure to my life. Did I wish to come again? No. Did I attain out to groups? I didn’t. I used to be pleased with my new life.

“It was only a lucky flip of occasions. However did I believed this may occur? By no means.”

Weddle received again into the move shortly. He led the Rams with 9 tackles within the NFC title recreation win over the San Francisco 49ers.

And now the participant who additionally spent 9 seasons with the San Diego Chargers and three with the Baltimore Ravens is wanting ahead to at least one final hurrah on the soccer area.

“It’s not likely so surreal on this second,” Weddle stated. “There’s a job to be performed and the job isn’t completed. Outdoors of that, nothing else issues.

“All that issues is enjoying nice on Sunday and hoisting that trophy. Till that, the job’s not completed.”

–Rams left deal with Andrew Whitworth is in a novel place this week. The four-time Professional Bowl choice spent the primary 11 seasons of his NFL profession with the Bengals and the final 5 with the Rams.

“It’s an actual particular week for me to be enjoying a franchise I invested a lot time in for 11 years,” the 40-year-old Whitworth stated of the scenario. “Not solely that, however a metropolis that my household and I had been invested in and being a part of the neighborhood.

“For me, this week couldn’t be extra particular to have each franchises we put our hearts and souls in to be enjoying one another within the Tremendous Bowl. It’s unbelievable. It’s arduous to place into phrases how cool it’s.”

Whitworth began 164 of 168 video games performed with Cincinnati and has began in all 71 of his appearances with the Rams.

–The Rams are holding out hope that tight finish Tyler Higbee (sprained knee) can play after being injured towards San Francisco. Coach Sean McVay stated it’s unlikely that Higbee will apply this week.

“He’s been such an enormous a part of this workforce,” McVay stated. “He’s a type of glue guys on this workforce. I do know he’ll do all the things in his energy (to try to play).”

McVay stated working again Darrell Henderson Jr. (knee), cornerback Robert Rochell (chest) and defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day (pectoral) ought to all be obtainable. McVay stated the workforce is taking a wait-and-see method with offensive lineman Joe Noteboom (chest).

–Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey is conscious that expectations across the Los Angeles sports activities scene name for championships.

The Lakers and Dodgers each gained titles in 2020. So if NBA and MLB groups can get it performed, Ramsey thinks it’s time for the Rams so as to add their very own banner.

“I assume you can say it has been an additional motivating issue,” Ramsey stated. “The Dodgers did it, the Lakers did it and we will do it as effectively.”

–Area Degree Media