The Los Angeles Rams walked away from Week 1 with a 14-9 victory over the Houston Texans, but the physical toll of the game became clearer on Wednesday. The team’s initial Week 2 injury report featured three starting offensive linemen and two tight ends, raising early concerns about depth ahead of Sunday’s matchup with the Tennessee Titans.
Offensive Line Takes the Brunt
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Starting guards Steve Avila and Kevin Dotson were already expected to appear on the report after both sustained ankle injuries in the opener. Avila exited early and didn’t return until the fourth quarter, while Dotson suffered what head coach Sean McVay described as a lateral ankle sprain that forced him out for good.
“When I say week-to-week, I mean, it’s really kind of day-to-day,” McVay said earlier this week. “So there’s a possibility they could practice. There’s a possibility they might not… I’ll have more information and a little bit more clarity as we have a little bit of time for them to get their rehab, see how they respond post-24 hours and 48 hours.”
What wasn’t expected was right tackle Rob Havenstein showing up on the list. The veteran lineman was held out of practice entirely with an ankle injury, leaving the Rams thin across the line. If Havenstein cannot go against Tennessee, Warren McClendon would step in as the primary backup.
Rookie Beaux Limmer is already in line to fill one of the guard spots, but with both Avila and Dotson banged up, Los Angeles may have to lean on veterans David Quessenberry or 2024’s UDFA Justin Dedich for added support.
Tight End Depth Also Tested
Tight end Colby Parkinson, who suffered an AC joint sprain in his shoulder against Houston, was listed as a non-participant. He played less than half of the team’s offensive snaps in Week 1 before leaving the game.
Adding to the surprise, second-year tight end Davis Allen was limited with a knee injury. Allen caught a 13-yard touchdown in the win over the Texans and was expected to see more opportunities if Parkinson missed time. His status now adds another layer of uncertainty. Behind starter Tyler Higbee, rookie Terrance Ferguson could be pressed into a larger role if both Parkinson and Allen are unavailable.
A Tricky Week Ahead
For a team that prides itself on continuity up front, the Rams now face the possibility of going into Week 2 without as many as three starting offensive linemen. That could put additional pressure on quarterback Matthew Stafford, who already endured a defensive slugfest in the opener, and force McVay to get creative with blocking assignments.
The Rams will update player statuses later this week, but Wednesday’s report underscores just how costly their Week 1 win may have been.
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