LOS ANGELES — Not even a week and a half into training camp, four members of the Rams’ starting offensive line have dealt with various levels of injuries.
A toe issue sidelined right guard Kevin Dotson for half a practice of work, though he was able to return the next day. Left tackle Alaric Jackson has missed the last three days of practice with an ankle injury, though head coach Sean McVay said the hope is that Jackson can return for Sunday’s joint practice with the Chargers. Right tackle Rob Havenstein left practice Thursday with a foot injury, possibly just from being stepped on, per McVay.
Those are nicks and bruises that can heal in relatively short order. Of more concern, however, is left guard Jonah Jackson.
Jackson left practice Tuesday with the help of a trainer, holding his left arm. Wednesday, his left arm was in a sling. The sling was gone on Thursday at practice, but Jackson still appeared to be using his right arm to hold up his left.
McVay said Thursday that Jackson is week-to-week with a shoulder injury. Multiple outlets on Wednesday reported that the injury is a bruised scapula that could take up to six weeks to heal, leaving open the possibility that Jackson is available for the season opener against his former team, the Detroit Lions. So harm, no foul, right?
But Jackson was at the center of the Rams’ offseason investment in their offensive line. They gave the former Pro Bowler a three-year, $51 million contract in the opening hours of free agency, after re-signing Dotson to a similar three-year deal before free agency opened.
Jackson’s arrival, which moved Steve Avila inside to center, signaled the Rams were doubling down on the duo blocking scheme that had led to running back Kyren Williams’ breakout season and fueled much of the general success of the Rams’ offense in 2023.
These are concepts that Jackson was familiar with from his time in Detroit, so the missed practices should impact his understanding of the Rams’ offense. But he will lose valuable reps alongside Avila and Alaric Jackson, especially after Jonah Jackson was limited during OTAs as he recovered from a knee injury.
“We don’t really have a choice. He doesn’t want to be out. I thought he had his best practice the other day. I know he wants to be out here more than anybody,” McVay said. “He’s got a body of work, there’s a reason why we felt so strongly about being able to add him here. This is another little temporary setback. For him, he’s a mentally tough guy, he’s going to continue to get better in the way that he can, really understanding some things. … He’s equipped to handle it the right way and he’s got people that are going to put their arm around him in the meantime.”
Trying to find a positive in the situation, McVay pointed to last preseason, when Cooper Kupp’s hamstring injury allowed Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell to distinguish themselves in his absence.
Utility man Joe Noteboom has certainly gotten more reps with all the missing linemen, while Zach Thomas has gotten opportunities at left guard the last two days. In the meantime, the Rams will hope to get Alaric Jackson and Havenstein back soon, then wait for Jonah Jackson.
“We’ll be better when those guys are back, whenever that timetable is,” McVay said. “But in the meantime we owe it to ourselves and to those other guys to pour into them.”
Defensive tackle Kobie Turner was back as a full participant in practice on Thursday after being limited to walk throughs and individual drills by a groin injury. The second-year tackle was extremely vocal on the defensive sideline, quick to run onto the field to celebrate any tackle for loss on Thursday.
