Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay confirmed Monday that left tackle Alaric Jackson is on track to start Week 1 against the Houston Texans, a major boost for a team still monitoring Matthew Stafford’s back injury.
Jackson, who missed most of training camp with blood clots, returned to team drills last week without setbacks. “Rams LT Alaric Jackson participated in practice today and while the Rams will monitor him throughout the week, Sean McVay says the plan is for him to start vs. Texans. Said the blood clots will still be something that need to be monitored, but Rams feel good about the plan,” McVay told reporters, per The Orange County Register’s Adam Grosbard.
McVay stressed that Jackson’s blood-clot condition remains something to monitor. “It is something … that I certainly never have dealt with before, so I think that demands flexibility,” McVay said. “But we feel really good. I mean, he has put so much work in. I think he’s handled it like a total stud.”
Jackson has dealt with this issue before, missing eight games in 2022 due to a similar diagnosis. He informed the Rams of new discomfort in June, leading to another scan that revealed clots. His availability stabilizes a line that had been relying on backups D.J. Humphries and Warren McClendon during camp.
Protecting a Quarterback in Flux
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Jackson’s return is timely. Stafford, now 37, has also been limited in recent weeks while managing a back injury. Though he has returned to 11-on-11 drills, questions linger about how he’ll hold up under live pressure. McVay also said Stafford was expected to start in Week 1.
Stafford’s recent numbers under duress paint a concerning picture. As Pro Football Focus analyst John Kosko noted, “In 2024, Stafford’s 33.3 PFF passing grade under pressure was the third-worst figure in the NFL.” Kosko added that Stafford “has dealt with a multitude of injuries over the past few years since the Rams’ Super Bowl victory. His play under pressure has suffered as a result.”
Stafford’s accuracy and arm talent remain elite, but durability is the looming issue. “He has become more reliant on play action,” Kosko observed, pointing to a PFF grade of 63.0 without play action, ranking 32nd out of 41 quarterbacks.
A Critical Partnership
The Rams invested heavily in Jackson this offseason, rewarding him with a three-year, $57.75 million contract to solidify his role as Stafford’s blindside protector. His presence could be the difference between Stafford holding steady or the Rams turning to Jimmy Garoppolo as an emergency option.
With Stafford’s health uncertain and Jackson still managing a serious condition, the Rams are walking a fine line into Week 1. But for now, McVay insists confidence is high: “All things are pointing to him being ready to go and being able to manage this.”
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