When cornerback Marcus Peters left the field during the Week 3 matchup with the Chargers, it sure looked like he was going to miss significant time.
But as the worst-case-scenario initial fears dwindled down to a calf strain, there was some optimism that Peters might be able to play a bit against the Vikings — despite the quick turnaround. But Peters did much better than that, playing every single defensive snap in Los Angeles' 38-31 victory.
It wasn't the easiest feat to accomplish, but playing in that game was highly important to Peters.
"I wanted to feel good and coach wanted me to feel good, and I felt good, so I played," Peters said.
The corner acknowledged there was some doubt that he'd be able to go after he left the game in Week 3.
"Other than that, I just trusted what [head trainer] Reggie [Scott] and the training staff was going to do to me, trusting what coach wanted from me — he wanted me to come in and get treatment and see if I wanted to feel good to play," Peters said. "I felt good and I was ready to play."
Safety John Johnson said he had a lot of respect for the way Peters got himself in position to play last Thursday.
"That shows you the accountability. It shows a lot about him," Johnson said. "He probably shouldn't have played. He could've easily sat out, so I tip my hat off to him. And that shows how strong this bond is between us."
Ahead of Sunday's Los Angeles Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks Week 11 matchup, take a look back at photos of historical matchups between the divisional opponents.
Linebacker (50) Samson Ebukam of the Los Angeles Rams against the Seattle Seahawks during the Rams 42-7 victory over the Seahawks in an NFL Week 15 football game, Sunday, December 17, 2017 in Seattle, WA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Wide receiver (18) Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams catches pass and runs against the Seattle Seahawks during the Rams 42-7 victory over the Seahawks in an NFL Week 15 football game, Sunday, December 17, 2017 in Seattle, WA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Wide receiver (17) Robert Woods of the Los Angeles Rams catches pass for a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the Rams 42-7 victory over the Seahawks in an NFL Week 15 football game, Sunday, December 17, 2017 in Seattle, WA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Runningback (30) Todd Gurley of the Los Angeles Rams scores a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, December 17th, 2017, at Centurylink field in Seattle Washington State. (Daniel Bowyer/Rams)
Defensive end (93) Ethan Westbrooks of the Los Angeles Rams against the Seattle Seahawks during the Rams 42-7 victory over the Seahawks in an NFL Week 15 football game, Sunday, December 17, 2017 in Seattle, WA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Defensive tackle (99) Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams sacks (3) Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks during the Rams 33-31 victory over the Seahawks in an NFL Week 5 football game at CenturyLink Field, Sunday, October 7, 2018, in Seattle, WA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Quarterback (16) Jared Goff of the Los Angeles Rams faces off against the Seattle Seahawks during the Rams 33-31 victory over the Seahawks in an NFL Week 5 football game at CenturyLink Field, Sunday, October 7, 2018, in Seattle, WA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Running back #30 Todd Gurley of The Los Angeles Rams celebrates after a touchdown during the 33-31 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in an NFL season game five match, at CenturyLink field, on October 7, 2018, in Seattle Washington. (Daniel Bowyer/Rams)
Wide receiver(18) Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams catches a pass and runs against the Seattle Seahawks during the Rams 33-31 victory over the Seahawks in an NFL Week 5 football game at CenturyLink Field, Sunday, October 7, 2018, in Seattle, WA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Inside linebacker #26 Mark Barron of The Los Angeles Rams before the 33-31 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in an NFL season game five match, at CenturyLink field, on October 7, 2018, in Seattle Washington. (Daniel Bowyer/Rams)
Quarterback #16 Jared Goff celebrates with the offense of The Los Angeles Rams after his first down drive during the 33-31 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in an NFL season game five match, at CenturyLink field, on October 7, 2018, in Seattle Washington. (Daniel Bowyer/Rams)
Defensive end (96) Matt Longacre of the Los Angeles Rams returns a kickoff against the Seattle Seahawks during the Rams 33-31 victory over the Seahawks in an NFL Week 5 football game at CenturyLink Field, Sunday, October 7, 2018, in Seattle, WA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Defensive end (56) Dante Fowler of the Los Angeles Rams jumps on a fumble and celebrates with (37) Sam Shields against the Seattle Seahawks during the Rams 36-31 victory over the Seahawks in an NFL Week 10 regular season football game, Sunday, November 11, 2018, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Wide receiver (12) Brandin Cooks of the Los Angeles Rams catches a pass and runs for a touchdown and hands the ball to Floyd Mayweather against the Seattle Seahawks during the Rams 36-31 victory over the Seahawks in an NFL Week 10 regular season football game, Sunday, November 11, 2018, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Defensive tackle (99) Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams rushes quarterback (3) Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks during the Rams 29-30 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in an NFL Week 5 football game, Thursday, October 3, 2019, in Seattle, WA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Tight end (81) Gerald Everett of the Los Angeles Rams caches a pass and runs against the Seattle Seahawks during the Rams 29-30 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in an NFL Week 5 football game, Thursday, October 3, 2019, in Seattle, WA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Cornerback (22) Marcus Peters and Cornerback (23) Nickell Robey-Coleman of the Los Angeles Rams against the Seattle Seahawks during the Rams 29-30 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in an NFL Week 5 football game, Thursday, October 3, 2019, in Seattle, WA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Running back (30) Todd Gurley of the Los Angeles Rams runs the ball and scores a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the Rams 28-12 victory over the Seahawks in an NFL Week 14 regular season game, Sunday, December 8, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Wide receiver (17) Robert Woods of the Los Angeles Rams catches a touchdown and celebrates wth tight end (89) Tyler Higbee against the Seattle Seahawks during the Rams 28-12 victory over the Seahawks in an NFL Week 14 regular season game, Sunday, December 8, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Cornerback (20) Jalen Ramsey of the Los Angeles Rams covers wide receiver (14) DK Metcalf of the Seattle Seahawks during the Rams 23-16 victory over the Seahawks in an NFL Week 10 regular season game, Sunday, November 15, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (Jeff Lewis/LA Rams)
Defensive back (31) Darious Williams of the Los Angeles Rams intercepts a pass against the Seattle Seahawks during the Rams 23-16 victory over the Seahawks in an NFL Week 10 regular season game, Sunday, November 15, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (Jeff Lewis/LA Rams)
Tight end (81) Gerald Everett of the Los Angeles Rams catches a pass and runs against the Seattle Seahawks during the Rams 23-16 victory over the Seahawks in an NFL Week 10 regular season game, Sunday, November 15, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (Jeff Lewis/LA Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football during Week 5 of the 2021 season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football during Week 5 of the 2021 season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football during Week 5 of the 2021 season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football during Week 5 of the 2021 season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Seattle Seahawks in Week 15 of the 2021 regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Seattle Seahawks in Week 15 of the 2021 regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Seattle Seahawks during Week 15 of the 2021 regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Seattle Seahawks during Week 15 of the 2021 regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Seattle Seahawks during Week 13 of the 2022 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Seattle Seahawks during Week 13 of the 2022 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Seattle Seahawks during Week 18 of the 2022 NFL regular season
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Seattle Seahawks during Week 18 of the 2022 NFL regular season
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Seattle Seahawks during Week 18 of the 2022 NFL regular season
Not only was Peters playing through an injury, but he was also lining up opposite a new starting corner. With Aqib Talib on injured reserve after suffering a significant ankle injury, Sam Shields started in his place. Plus, reserve corner Troy Hill appears to be slated to receive more snaps in the defensive backfield.
"With both of those guys, both of those guys can make plays, especially with Sam," Peters said. "We've seen him play early in his career with Green Bay. I've seen Troy play a lot in college, I've seen him in the playoffs and stuff against the Falcons — he's ready to play ball. It's just next man up, play ball."
Los Angeles will face another significant test for the secondary this week in quarterback Russell Wilson and Seattle's offense. While the Rams have had success on Wilson in the past, there are many players now on the club who have not faced Wilson before — including Peters. He's looking forward to going against the four-time Pro Bowl quarterback.
"You respect his game, you respect what he's done in the past — a Super Bowl winning champ — but you just go play the game," Peters said.
The obvious element of Wilson's game that makes him more difficult to defend in the way he can make plays with his legs. As defensive coordinator Wade Phillips put it, Wilson "makes plays out of nothing. He makes plays that nobody else makes."
"Not many quarterbacks can do that and he can also — he can beat you running with it or throwing it," Phillips continued. "He'll run for first downs to keep plays and then run around enough and find somebody open. You have to cover them for a long time, with him, and that makes it hard."
So how does the approach change for Los Angeles' secondary?
"I mean it's football. It's just a job that we have to do," Peters said. "We just go out there and respect his game, we go out there and play our game. We've got a good d-line, who we know can keep him under control, in the pocket — which we want to do.
"They make their plays, and we'll make ours, and hopefully we can get off the field and get offense the ball to make plays."
