Andrew

Whitworth

Whitworth, 40, who retired in March after 16 NFL seasons, is on the Rams’ reserved-retired list. The Cowboys’ recent loss of Tyron Smith to a severe hamstring injury sparked rumors that Dallas would reach out to Whitworth, now an NFL analyst with Amazon. If Whitworth returned to the NFL, he would have to join the Rams roster. “At a minimum, Whitworth was cheekily trying to create the impression that the Cowboys have been calling him when, in reality, they haven’t been,” ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio said. “At worst, the Cowboys were calling him — and also were committing a blatant tampering violation.” Whitworth forcefully denied the Dallas rumors after playfully hinting that he had received phone calls and texts about the Cowboys’ sudden offensive line woes.

Whitworth, 40, retired a Super Bowl champ after 16 seasons in the NFL. While it’s unlikely the All-Pro tackle comes out of retirement, Whitworth is still under contract with the Rams and has ties to both of last year’s conference winners. There’s a non-zero chance he could be lured back if injuries arise. Whitworth has been staying in NFL shape, working out with Rams’ linemen Joseph Noteboom and David Edwards this offseason.

In the lead-up to the Super Bowl, Whitworth said retiring a champ would be an “unreal way to walk off,” and that is exactly what he is doing. A two-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler, Whitworth added the 2021 Walter Payton Man of the Year award to his accomplishments the same week he won his deserved Super Bowl ring back in February. A second-round pick by the Bengals way back in 2006, Whitworth spent 11 years in Cincinnati before joining the Rams in 2017. Given his extended run of quality play, Whitworth will have a case for the Hall of Fame when he becomes eligible.

“I don’t think there’s anything else I would have to do,” Whitworth continued. The 40-year-old tackle has been the subject of retirement rumors for several years including the last time the Rams made the Super Bowl, but this comment suggests it might actually happen this time. As Whitworth said, winning the Super Bowl the same week he was named Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year would be an unreal way to call it a career.

Whitworth has been practicing in full and Sean McVay confirmed Friday that he will play on Sunday. Whitworth missed the Divisional round, but the 40-year-old will return to help McVay break his six-game losing streak to Kyle Shanahan. Whitworth’s presence should provide a boost to the Rams pass protection against a formidable 49ers pass rush.

It means the 40-year-old veteran will be out there after missing the Divisional Round. Although Joe Noteboom held up admirably well in Whitworth’s absence, his return is a monster boost for a team trying to reach its second Super Bowl in four years.

The Rams only held a walkthrough so Whitworth’s status is just an estimation. With Sean McVay again saying that Whitworth is on track to play, the veteran left tackle should get a real limited or full session in later this week. The return of Whitworth will help Los Angeles slow down Nick Bosa and the San Francisco pass-rush in the NFC Championship.

Whitworth, of course, missed the Divisional Round win over the Bucs, and his replacement, Joe Noteboom, suffered a strained pec. Getting Whitworth back somewhere near 100% would be a big boost against Nick Bosa and company.

Aside from Whitworth, the Rams are as healthy as a team can be this late into the year. The same can’t be said for their opponent. Pro Football Focus has Whitworth graded as their top pass-blocking tackle on the year. He has allowed just one sack in 15 games.

Pro Football Focus’ No. 1 pass-blocking tackle, Whitworth allowed one sack on 936 snaps across 15 games this year. Although Joseph Notebloom replaced him in the Wild Card game in the second half, permitting a single pressure on 33 snaps off the bench, the Bucs’ front-seven (at full health nonetheless) presents an entirely different challenge than Arizona’s. It makes Matthew Stafford a flimsier DFS option on Sunday.