LOS ANGELES — Despite missing a full week of practice, Rams left tackle Alaric Jackson (foot) is expected to play in Sunday’s road game against the New Orleans Saints, head coach Sean McVay said Friday.
Jackson aggravated his foot in last weekend’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, McVay said. The Rams (5-6) did not expect it to be an issue but as soreness lingered, they opted to hold Jackson out of practice this week.
The tackle, who has started nine games for the Rams this year after serving a two-game suspension to start the season, participated in Friday’s walkthrough despite being held out of practice.
“We were just erring on the side of caution with him,” McVay said. “We wanted to be smart with him, not have any potential setbacks so that’s kind of why we approached this week the way we did.”
Tight end Tyler Higbee moved up to a full participant in practice on Friday after being limited in his first two days back following offseason knee and shoulder surgeries. While the veteran will not play against the Saints (4-7), his presence has been a welcome addition to the practice field.
“It was great having him back at practice this week. He has brought a spark and an energy, just being himself,” McVay said. “Not quite ready; I mean, he probably is but we’re going to be smart with him.”
Higbee suffered an ACL tear in the Rams’ playoff loss to the Detroit Lions in January. At the time, the Rams (5-6) knew it would be a long road back for the eight-year veteran, who has spent his entire NFL career with the Rams.
But the Rams have been encouraged by how Higbee has looked in his first action back on the practice field in more than 10 months.
“He’s looked awesome,” McVay said. “You look at the things that this guy’s overcome, how mentally tough he is, physically tough. He’s looked really good, he’s a stud and he has meant a lot to this football team in a variety of ways.”
