LOS ANGELES — The Rams offense will look a little different than it usually does in Week 18.
Along with quarterback Matthew Stafford, the Rams (10-6) will allow receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, running back Kyren Williams and offensive linemen Kevin Dotson and Alaric Jackson to rest in the regular-season finale rather than play against the Seattle Seahawks (9-7), head coach Sean McVay said Friday.
The Rams have already clinched the NFC West, so they will only be playing for seeding against Seattle. As they have in years past, McVay and his staff chose this week to prioritize getting rest ahead of the playoffs rather than competing for the three-seed.
“Have had some situations that we’ve navigated through, especially on the offensive line, guys are banged up but they’d be able to go if this were a normal game,” McVay said. “So we’re going to err on the side of caution with those guys.”
McVay had already ruled out right tackle Rob Havenstein (shoulder) for Sunday. And he noted that players such as left guard Steve Avila, safety Quentin Lake and other contributors on defense could see reduced roles even while starting against the Seahawks.
Veteran Joe Noteboom will start at left tackle in Jackson’s place, McVay said, which presumably would mean second-year tackle Warren McClendon would play on the right side. And Jonah Jackson will fill Dotson’s shoes at right guard.
Jackson signed a three-year contract with the Rams on the first day of free agency back in March. The plan was for him to play left guard and kick Avila inside to center as part of the Rams’ recommitment to a physical, duo-based run game built around the interior of the line.
But nothing went according to that plan for Jackson, who injured his shoulder in the first week of training camp. By the time he returned to practice in late August, he was working at center, which he described as his natural position, while Avila returned to left guard.
When Jackson reaggravated his shoulder injury in Week 2, he went on injured reserve and missed the subsequent seven games. He returned and started at center in Week 10, but the line as a whole struggled. With the team fighting to remain in the playoff race, McVay opted to replace Jackson with rookie Beaux Limmer, who had started at center in the veteran’s absence.
As Jackson prepares to return to game action, McVay said that he has admired how the fifth-year lineman has handled a season that didn’t go as expected.
“All he was willing to do was whatever was asked of him,” McVay said. “If you saw the way that he’s worked, my respect level for how he’s handled a unique situation that I really don’t think is anybody but … it’s really my fault for not having him in a better spot to be able to contribute. But I just couldn’t be more impressed.”
Another player who will benefit from the veterans resting will be rookie running back Blake Corum, a third-round pick who has served as Williams’ backup. While McVay hinted that rookie Cody Schrader will also get a look on Sunday, Corum is expected to take on the lead role.
“When you’re the number two guy and Kyren has taken the bulk of the reps, compared to any team, sometimes you don’t get into the rhythm,” offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said Thursday before the decision to rest Williams was official. “More touches for a back is usually better. It’ll just be good if he does get those opportunities to see him work through a drive or two drives in a row and see what he can do.”
