Rams Update: Key Offensive Lineman Sustains Serious Injury During Training Camp
The injury bug has struck the Los Angeles Rams, affecting one of the most critical positions on the team.
Newly signed Rams offensive guard Jonah Jackson sustained a bruised scapula during practice on Tuesday and is projected to be out for approximately six weeks. This news was reported by Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network on Twitter/X.
Mike LaFleur emphasized the “next man up” mentality to the media, including the Associated Press. “Next man up, right, that’s what this game is,” LaFleur said. “There’s gonna be guys going down for sometimes a day, sometimes an extended period of time.”
With Jackson sidelined, the Rams will rely on either Joseph Noteboom or Zachary Thomas as preseason games approach.
Jackson, who signed a three-year contract with $34 million guaranteed, started 57 games for the Lions after being drafted in the third round out of Ohio State in 2020. The Rams sought a more physical and robust offensive line to compete with teams like the San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, and Lions. Jackson’s presence was seen as essential to this strategy, but the team will have to wait a bit longer for his contributions.
The Jackson signing was part of a broader effort to revamp the Rams’ offensive line. L.A. also re-signed Kevin Dotson to a three-year deal and moved Steve Avila back to his primary position of center, where he excelled at TCU.
The Rams will have to manage
The six-week recovery period for Jonah Jackson coincides with the start of the regular season, when the Rams will face Jackson’s former team, the Detroit Lions, who defeated L.A. in the Wild Card round.
Although Jackson was not slated to play in any of the three preseason games, he was expected to be a key part of the team and the culture established by head coach Sean McVay. The timeline is ideal for Jackson and the Rams, but it is still a significant setback for a team aiming to dominate the trenches, protect the backfield, and keep quarterback Matthew Stafford healthy.
Rams offensive coordinator without Jackson’s protection for the foreseeable future.
