Rams starting cornerback Derion Kendrick arrested on concealed weapon charge hours after game

Associated Press
Monday, Oct. 16, 2023 8:06 p.m. | Monday, Oct. 16, 2023 8:06 p.m.

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Los Angeles Rams NFL football player Derion Kendrick poses for a photo in Inglewood, Calif.

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Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marquise Brown (2), center, is tackled by Los Angeles Rams cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, top, linebacker Christian Rozeboom (56) and cornerback Derion Kendrick (1), during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif.

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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Charlie Jones (15) is upended by Los Angeles Rams defensive back Derion Kendrick (1) during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, in Cincinnati.

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San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, right, scores a touchdown as Los Angeles Rams safety John Johnson III, center, tries to tackle him while cornerback Derion Kendrick watches during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif.

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Rams starting cornerback Derion Kendrick was arrested early Monday morning on a felony charge of carrying a concealed weapon.

Los Angeles County jail inmate records indicate Kendrick was arrested after a traffic stop in Hollywood, several hours after the Rams’ 26-9 victory over Arizona at SoFi Stadium. The second-year pro from Georgia played 68 snaps against the Cardinals and had two tackles.

TMZ reported that officers found a gun and marijuana in Kendrick’s car. Rams coach Sean McVay said Monday afternoon that the team and the NFL were aware of Kendrick’s arrest.

Kendrick was booked at 2:14 a.m., and there was no record of his release by mid-afternoon. McVay declined to say whether Kendrick was still in jail.

“It’s all about gathering more information,” McVay said. “Until I have all of the information, it’s hard for me to answer anything further with regards to his status, any of those types of things.”

Kendrick has started every game for Los Angeles this season, taking over a prominent role on defense after the Rams parted ways with Jalen Ramsey and most of their starting secondary during the offseason.

The 23-year-old Kendrick, a sixth-round pick in 2022, started his college career at Clemson. He won national championships with both the Tigers and the Bulldogs.

If Kendrick is absent from the Rams for a significant amount of time, his starting job is likely to be taken by rookie Tre Tomlinson or veteran Duke Shelley, McVay indicated.