Rams Poach Recently-Signed Practice Squad Member

Takkarist McKinley, a first-round pick in 2017, spent just five days with the Titans. Tackle Christian DiLauro returns to where he spent most of the 2021 NFL season.

Jeff Lange/Akron Beacon Journal via Imagn Content Services, LLC

NASHVILLE – Takkarist McKinley, who joined the Tennessee Titans last week as a member of their practice squad, is moving on.

The veteran outside linebacker, a first-round pick (25th overall) by Atlanta in 2017, terminated his contract with the Titans on Wednesday, according to the NFL’s transaction report. That is the first procedural step that occurs when another team signs a player to its active roster.

ESPN’s Field Yates reported a short time later that McKinley is headed to the Los Angeles Rams.

In a related move, the Titans added tackle Christian DiLauro to the practice squad. DiLauro spent virtually all of last season on the practice squad and made his NFL debut in December as a standard elevation to the gameday roster in the victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Undrafted in 2018, he also has spent time on the practice squads in Cleveland, San Francisco, Houston and Pittsburgh.

DiLauro was with the Titans throughout the offseason, training camp and preseason but was released in the final cuts to the 53-man roster limit. His return provides some insurance and depth as left tackle Taylor Lewan battles a knee injury.

Franchise officials are not nearly as familiar with McKinley.

The 26-year-old had two and a half sacks in 11 games for Cleveland (mostly as a reserve) last season before an Achilles injury ended his season in December. He has 20 sacks in 60 career games topped by a career-high in seven sacks, his second season with the Falcons.

His addition to the practice squad was an opportunity for coaches to evaluate his fitness and his scheme fit after Harold Landry, Tennessee’s leader in sacks each of the last three years, sustained a season-ending knee injury a little more than a week before the opener against the New York Giants.

Apparently, the Rams are much more confident about what he can do for them.