LOS ANGELES – The Rams placed cornerback Darious Williams on the injured list on Thursday, just days before their Sunday Night Football game in Detroit.

Williams had been struggling with a hamstring injury since the early days of training camp, but had returned to training in the last two weeks.

On Wednesday, head coach Sean McVay noted after walking the floor that day that Williams would be “limited,” according to the first official injury report of the season. When asked if Williams had suffered a setback, McVay said, “No, he’s fine. He sustained a good hamstring injury earlier in training camp, but he’s making progress.”

Defensive coordinator Chris Shula, who spoke to reporters in place of McVay on Thursday (as did offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur; the normal schedule), largely referred questions about Williams to McVay’s Friday press conference. He also pointed to general manager Les Snead and his staff when asked if the Rams would consider signing another cornerback. The Rams signed Jerry Jacobs this summer when reserve cornerback Derion Kendrick tore his ACL, but Jacobs was released with injury compensation.

Backup Cobie Durant is also limited by a hamstring injury. If Durant can’t play — or if he can play but suffers a setback during the game — undrafted free agent rookies Josh Wallace or Charles Woods could step in. Both players made the Rams’ initial 53-man roster.

“Very mature freshmen,” Shula said, “asking great questions in the meeting room. Guys who can take it from the meeting room to the field. It doesn’t feel too big for them.”

With this appointment, Williams will miss the first four games of the season. Tre’Davious White, the other veteran cornerback the Rams signed as a free agent along with Williams, returns from a torn Achilles tendon sustained in 2023.

Behind Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff and his receiver corps, the Lions ranked second in the NFL in passing yards in 2023.

The Rams are dealing with injuries and absences at key positions on both sides of the ball. Left tackle Alaric Jackson served his two-game suspension this week, as did veteran backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Right tackle Rob Havenstein was limited in practice this week after suffering an ankle injury early in training camp. Left tackle Joe Noteboom and right tackle Warren McClendon are backups. Jonah Jackson, who moved from left guard to center, is returning from a shoulder injury that sidelined him for most of training camp.

“Injuries happen in this game, it’s the next man up and that’s never going to change in football,” LaFleur said. “And if you’re worried about the injuries, you’re worried about the wrong things. It’s about getting the other guys fit and ready to play.”

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(Photo: Ric Tapia/Getty Images)