“He’s a freak.” Inside Odell Beckham Jr.’s trick pass, other big plays from Rams’ win

Rams safety Eric Weddle shares a laugh with Cardinals offensive tackle D.J. Humphries (74) Monday night at SoFi Stadium.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

“Hey, hey, hey!” Eric Weddle said with a booming voice as he approached the podium for a post-game press conference. “I know you guys missed me!”

The 37-year-old safety’s return to the NFL for his first game in two years was a little more subtle. Weddle, signed to shore up a secondary that lost safeties Jordan Fuller (ankle) and Taylor Rapp (concussion) to injuries, did not crack the score sheet against the Cardinals, registering no tackles or pass breakups.

But he saw considerable action in nickel and dime packages in the first half and was not beaten for any mid-range or long gains. He was on the field for David Long Jr.’s three-yard interception return for a touchdown. With a commanding 28-0 lead early in the third quarter, Weddle did not play much in the second half.

“I thought I was gonna get a couple chances my way, but the job was to bring everyone together, to play together, and we sure played lights out as a defense, offense, special teams,” Weddle said. “That’s how you win in the playoffs, picking each other up, making big plays on one side or the other.”

Weddle played 19 snaps, most coming in the first half. The reps should prepare him for a bigger role next week.

“If it was a close game, I would have played in the second half,” Weddle said. “We had a good plan going in. I was getting the majority of reps, but it was a blowout, so there was no need to keep pressing it; they could ease me into it.

“Just getting another week, it will only make me stronger physically, and I’ll be able to play more if needed. Hopefully we get Rapp back. Whatever my role is, I’m good with. I’m not here to get in anyone’s way.”

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