'It was a shocking feeling': Packers CB Rasul Douglas gets redemption vs. Cardinals
GLENDALE, Ariz. – Journeyman cornerback Rasul Douglas predicted he’d get an interception Week 8. What he didn’t know was the magnitude of his takeaway or that he’d taste sweet redemption Thursday Night.
The Green Bay Packers cornerback caught a game-winning interception while covering Arizona Cardinals wide receiver A.J. Green with 15 seconds remaining to preserve a 24-21 win for the Packers.
“It’s probably the first time I’ve won a game like that. It was a shocking feeling,” Douglas said. “We just won off that play.”
Packers teammates swarmed Douglas, 26, on the field when he intercepted Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray’s pass intended for Green. The Packers then celebrated with Douglas in the visiting locker room.
The game-defining turnover was vindicating for Douglas because he caught the football against his former team. The Packers signed him off the Cardinals’ practice squad Oct. 6. Three weeks later, Douglas caught the biggest interception of his life.
“I’m so proud of Rasul. What a great story. How special is this game? The guy is on the street, he comes in, starts for us and finishes the game out for us,” Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said. “Amazing.”
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Douglas was originally drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2017 NFL Draft. He spent three years in Philly before joining the Carolina Panthers for one year in 2020. In 2021, he spent time with the Las Vegas Raiders and Houston Texans during the offseason and training camp before joining the Cardinals’ practice squad.
Prior to Thursday’s matchup, the well-traveled cornerback hadn’t recorded an interception since 2018.
Douglas was a member on the Eagles in 2018 when he had his most recent interception. Shortly after, the team-hopping commenced. He had brief stints with the Panthers, Raiders and Texans before joining the Cardinals’ practice squad. Douglas admitted he had some self-doubt while working out on Arizona’s practice squad this year. But his mindset changed once he got the phone call from Green Bay earlier this month.
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“I pray all day. That’s just me. I talk to Him and just stay down. He’s got a plan for everybody. So, I just figured I keep doing what I do and eventually something good will happen for me,” Douglas said. “It’s a blessing. It was crazy, been in the league five years and having never been on the practice squad before and one day you’re just on the practice squad. You feel like you’re working for nothing kind of and then you get a call to go somewhere else,” Douglas said. “I’m just thankful.”
The Green Bay Packers are thankful they made that call to Douglas. The Packers are 7-1 in large part because of him, and he might have a stable home in Green Bay following his game-winning interception.
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