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How Tre'Davious White's Achilles injury played into picking Rams

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McAfee: Bringing in Tre'Davious White is a massive play for the Rams (2:25)

Pat McAfee and Adam "Pacman" Jones agree that the addition of Tre'Davious White is an upgrade for the Rams' secondary. (2:25)

LOS ANGELES -- As cornerback Tre'Davious White took his free agent visits -- something he likened to being recruited in high school -- his time in Los Angeles stuck out.

White, who spent his first seven NFL seasons with the Buffalo Bills, spent a couple of hours with Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay talking "a lot of ball" and left with a great feel for the head coach.

"I felt like it was a good fit," White said this week at his introductory news conference at the team's practice facility. "We hit it off, it was very authentic, which is what I was looking for, being a guy that had been in the league for a while. Great staff, young group, a group of guys that's willing to work, so I'm looking forward to it."

White's first foray into free agency came while he was recovering from a torn right Achilles, an injury he suffered in Week 4 last season against the Miami Dolphins. His surgery was performed by Neal ElAttrache, the Rams' team doctor.

The 29-year-old cornerback pointed to the experience the Rams have rehabbing Achilles injuries, which includes former running back Cam Akers. Akers tore his Achilles in July 2021 and returned before the end of the regular season.

White didn't give a timetable for his return from the injury, saying he'll listen to the Rams' medical staff while "also being very transparent with them about how I feel, too." White said "so far it's been good" and that he's "on a good track to get going."

"Very transparent, just very authentic, the plan that they have in place," White said. "I'm a guy that's very strategic, with my approach of how I would want my rehab to go, being that I've had an ACL before and I know how rehab can go. So I was doing my homework. This team has rehab guys that have been very successful with the Achilles."

White, who agreed to terms on a one-year, $8.5 million deal with the Rams in late March that has a max value up to $10 million, is the latest addition to the revamped Los Angeles secondary. The Rams also signed veteran cornerback Darious Williams and safety Kamren Curl in free agency.

White said the Rams haven't gotten into how exactly they'll use him under new defensive coordinator Chris Shula, but said, "just being a guy that's seen a lot of ball, I could pretty much fit in ... however the team needs."

The 2017 first-round pick is a two-time Pro Bowler and was named first-team All-Pro in 2019. White has 18 interceptions, 68 passes defended, 311 tackles and five forced fumbles in seven NFL seasons.

The Rams ranked 20th in passing yards allowed per game last season and had 10 interceptions. Los Angeles did not re-sign veteran cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, who was playing on a one-year deal in 2023. The Rams also have 2023 draft picks Cobie Durant and Derion Kendrick on the roster.

While White signed with Los Angeles on a prove-it deal, he said Dr. ElAttrache gave him the hope that he'd be back to his pre-injury self.

"He did promise me that with my hard work and dedication and with a great team that he promised me that I'll be back doing all the things that I've done before," White said. "So that was all the hope that I needed. And everything else I can take care of as far as the hard work and just the dedication and time I put in."