The Los Angeles Rams offensive line seems to be cursed this season. Just when they got center Jonah Jackson and left guard Steve Avila back from several week stints on the injured reserve, right tackle Rob Havenstein went out with an ankle injury. After missing three games, Havenstein will be available to play against the New Orleans Saints.
Rams LT Alaric Jackson Officially Questionable Vs. Saints
But the Rams’ first injury report came out on Wednesday evening and left tackle Alaric Jackson was listed with a foot injury. He did not practice at all this week and was officially listed as questionable on Friday afternoon
The team picked up the 6 foot 7, 345 pound former Iowa Hawkeye as an undrafted free agent in 2021. By 2023, he developed into a starting-caliber left tackle — playing 84 percent of the team’s offensive snaps in that year. He missed two games that season — one due to a hamstring injury and the other with a thigh injury.
Jackson missed the first two weeks of the season because of a suspension but he also started the season with an injured ankle, which occurred in late July during training camp and was considered week-to-week early in August. The team intended for Joe Noteboom to play in his spot while suspended, but Noteboom was hurt by halftime. AJ Arcuri played the remainder of the game. The next week Warren McClendon filled in at left tackle.
Expect McClendon or Noteboom to play if Jackson cannot.
Jackson currently has allowed 15 pressures, the second most among Rams offensive linemen. Despite this, he is the team’s top top-graded pass blocker (78.6) and second-best run blocker (70.1) by Pro Football Focus.
Whoever lines up at left tackle will have to contend with defensive end Chase Young, who has 39 pressures and five sacks this season.