The Los Angeles Rams will be turning to Justin Dedich at left guard for Sunday’s Week 2 matchup against the Tennessee Titans, following injuries to key offensive linemen. Veteran David Quessenberry has been listed inactive, leaving Dedich with the responsibility of stepping into a starting role on a line that has already been dealing with significant health concerns.
Injuries Force Shifts on Rams OL
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The Rams came out of their Week 1 win over the Houston Texans with a number of bumps and bruises. Most notably, guards Steve Avila and Kevin Dotson both suffered ankle sprains during the contest. Avila played 31 of 60 offensive snaps but left the game early before returning, while Dotson exited after 45 snaps and did not return. Head coach Sean McVay confirmed Monday that both are considered week-to-week.
“Both are recovering, but we’ll continue to monitor them. We have depth, and guys like Justin and Beaux [Limmer] have shown they can step in if needed,” McVay said.
With Avila and Dotson unavailable, Dedich will slide into the starting left guard spot, while Beaux Limmer — who filled in during Week 1 for both injured guards — will likely rotate in at right guard as needed.
According to Adam Grosbard, “Justin Dedich is lining up at left guard with the Rams starting offensive line during warmups. He was working at left guard during practice and Beaux Limmer at RG before Kevin Dotson returned to practice.”
Offensive Line Health Remains a Concern
The Rams’ offensive line has been a recurring point of concern over the past few seasons. Injuries to the interior line contributed to a 3-6 start in 2023 and a 1-4 start in 2024. While the team has shown an ability to overcome injuries with depth, the Week 1 performance against Houston illustrated the challenges that come with losing key linemen.
Even with Avila and Dotson missing time, the Rams were able to move the ball, though they ranked 23rd in EPA per play and 22nd in success rate. Quarterback Matthew Stafford compensated with quicker throws, averaging 2.42 seconds to release the ball — a pace that masks some of the struggles up front. Stafford was efficient on these quicker passes, completing 14-of-18 for 144 yards, but the line’s interior struggles were evident in longer-developing plays.
“Just with those two injuries along the offensive line, the Rams offense wasn’t necessarily limited, but they went through stretches of the game in which they struggled,” noted analysts.
Dedich’s Opportunity
For Dedich, this marks a significant chance to prove himself in a starting role. While he was inactive in Week 1, stepping in against a Titans defensive front featuring players like Jeffery Simmons will be a challenge. Limmer’s 44 snaps against the Texans saw some struggles, ranking 60th among 62 guards in pass-blocking via PFF, highlighting the steep learning curve Dedich faces.
“It really shows the thin line that the Rams are walking,” one analyst said. “The success of the offense this season is tied directly to the health and performance of this unit. Dedich’s ability to step up could be a key factor moving forward.”
The offensive line will be a storyline to monitor closely as the Rams navigate the early weeks of the season. Dedich’s performance on Sunday will be a critical test not only for his career but for the Rams’ ability to sustain offensive efficiency amid ongoing injury concerns.
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