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Rams notebook: DE Jonah Williams provides critical snaps vs. Cardinals

October 16, 2023

Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams #23 fights his way into the end zone for touchdown through Arizona Cardinals safety K’Von Wallace #22 and Arizona Cardinals linebacker Josh Woods #10 in the second half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua #17 looks for yards after the catch against the Arizona Cardinals in the first half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marquise Brown #2 is taken down after the catch by Los Angeles Rams linebacker Christian Rozeboom #56 in the first half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams linebacker Christian Rozeboom #56 celebrates his interception of a deflected pass against the Arizona Cardinals in the second half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Marco Wilson #20 pulls the helmet off Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams #23 on a first down run in the second half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams cornerback Derion Kendrick #1 pulls the facemark of Arizona Cardinals quarterback Joshua Dobbs #9 on a run in the second half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams place kicker Brett Maher #8 kicks one of his four field goals in the game against the Arizona Cardinals in the second half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams safety Jordan Fuller #4 pulls down Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride #85 after the catch in the second half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua #17 is hit after the catch by Arizona Cardinals cornerback Marco Wilson #20 and Arizona Cardinals linebacker Kyzir White #7 in the second half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 passes the ball againstt he Arizona Cardinals in the second half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Marco Wilson #20 takes down Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp #10 after the catch in the second half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Arizona Cardinals defenders stop Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams #23 at the line on a run in the second half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp #10 makes the firs down catch as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Marco Wilson #20 defends in the second half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 is sacked by Arizona Cardinals defensive end Kevin Strong #92 in the second half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams #23 straight arms Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Roy Lopez #98 on his way to a touchdown in the second half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams #23 runs for a first down against the Arizona Cardinals in the second half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams #23 celebrates his touchdown run against he Arizona Cardinals in the second half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Roy Lopez #98 stops Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams #23 on the line for no gain in the second half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams linebacker Byron Young #0 hits the ball out of Arizona Cardinals quarterback Joshua Dobbs #9 hand for a fumble in the second half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. #70 helps up Arizona Cardinals quarterback Joshua Dobbs #9 after he was hit by Los Angeles Rams linebacker Michael Hoecht #97 in the second half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz #86 is taken down after the catch by Los Angeles Rams linebacker Christian Rozeboom #56 in the second half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams #23 holds onto his helmet by his mouth gaurd after Arizona Cardinals cornerback Marco Wilson #20 pulled his helmet off on a runon a first down run in the second half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams running back Zach Evans #21 id taken down by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Kyzir White #7 and others on a run in the second half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals push and shove one another after a kickofff in the second half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams cornerback Cobie Durant #14 celebrates after breaking up a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marquise Brown #2 in the second half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams cornerback Cobie Durant #14 hits Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson #14 after the catch in the second half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams linebacker Michael Hoecht #97 hits the facemark of Arizona Cardinals quarterback Joshua Dobbs #9 as he pressures him in the second half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams linebacker Byron Young #0 and Los Angeles Rams linebacker Christian Rozeboom #56 celebrate after pressuring Arizona Cardinals quarterback Joshua Dobbs #9 into an incomplete pass in the second half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams linebacker Michael Hoecht #97 hits Arizona Cardinals quarterback Joshua Dobbs #9 in the helmet as he pressures him in the first half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp #10 makes the firs down catch as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Kei’Trel Clark #13 defends in the first half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Arizona Cardinals defenders sack Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 in the first half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Joshua Dobbs #9 breaks free from Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Kobie Turner #91 for a first down in the first half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Kyzir White #7 scacks Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 in the first half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Arizona Cardinals place kicker Matt Prater #5 kicks his third field goal of the first half as Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Kobie Turner #91 and Los Angeles Rams defensive end Jonah Williams #92 try to block it in the first half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Bobby Price #26 hits and forces the fumble by Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Austin Trammell #81 on a punt return in the first half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams defensive end Jonah Williams #92 sacks Arizona Cardinals quarterback Joshua Dobbs #9 in the first half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams linebacker Michael Hoecht #97 stops Arizona Cardinals running back Keaontay Ingram #30 in the back field in the first half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald #99 stops Arizona Cardinals running back Damien Williams #29 in the backfield for a loss in the first half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Bobby Price #26 celebrates his fumble recovery of Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Austin Trammell #81 on a punt return in the first half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams safety Jordan Fuller #4 breaks up a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marquise Brown #2 in the first half of the game in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

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INGLEWOOD — Entering Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals, the Rams knew they would need to find more production along the defensive line. Bobby Brown III had been placed on injured reserve with a knee injury, forcing rookie Kobie Turner into more of an early-down role than he had previously occupied, and creating ripple effects down the line.

Fourth-year defensive lineman Jonah Williams proved to be the one to step up when the Rams needed it. He provided two tackles for loss and a sack, along with two quarterback hits in the Rams’ 26-9 win.

“I just knew I had to play more,” Williams said. “It was going to be a little more opportunity on third-and-long, second-and-long, which, I enjoy, a little bit more rushing the passer. I was excited for it. A little more opportunity to let loose.”

The Cardinals were facing third-and-two from the Rams 40 in the first quarter. A blitz was called for linebacker Ernest Jones, while Williams had the freedom to attack the offensive line where he wanted on the call.

Jones lined up in the A gap, but moved outside, bringing the center with him as he was engaged by the left tackle. It left a clear lane for Williams to move inside, and he evaded the left guard to get a clean shot on Arizona quarterback Joshua Dobbs for a 13-yard loss, driving the Cardinals out of field goal range.

“You have a very short amount of time to make a decision. You go to your tool bag where you feel like you’re best at, and then after that it’s just reading what the guard gives you,” Williams said. “Once Ernest hit that gap, there was no thinking. He took my side of the rush, so I take his and it opened up for me.”

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Injury report

Running back Kyren Williams, the star of Sunday’s win, left the game in the fourth quarter with a left ankle injury. Head coach Sean McVay said he didn’t expect the injury to impact Williams long-term, and the running back’s ankle was lightly taped after the game.

With backup RB Ronnie Rivers also sidelined with a knee injury, the Rams turned to rookie Zach Evans for the first carries of his career. The sixth-round pick rushed four times for 10 carries.

Right guard Joe Noteboom (groin) and defensive tackle Larrell Murchison (knee) were medical scratches before the game.

Orange County Register

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Rams notebook: DE Jonah Williams provides critical snaps vs. Cardinals

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