The Los Angeles Rams are set to face a Seattle Seahawks offensive line that will be without its steadying force in Sunday’s critical NFC West showdown. Starting center Jalen Sundell, a key piece in one of the league’s most consistent fronts, suffered a knee injury in Week 10’s 44–22 win over the Arizona Cardinals and will not play at SoFi Stadium.
Sundell exited in the second quarter, with rookie Olu Oluwatimi stepping in for the remainder of the game. Oluwatimi is no stranger to the position, having started the final two months of 2024 following Connor Williams’ sudden retirement. Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed Sundell’s absence Monday, saying, “Olu will be our center right now. It’s going to be multiple weeks. I’d say IR is under consideration.”
While the injury is not considered season-ending, Sundell could miss a minimum of a month. If placed on injured reserve, his earliest potential return would be mid-December when Seattle hosts Indianapolis.
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Rams’ Defensive Line Could Have an Edge
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For the Rams, Sundell’s absence is a key development. The undrafted second-year center from North Dakota State had been the anchor of a line that allowed quarterback Sam Darnold to be sacked just 10 times through nine games — one of the NFL’s best protections. Without him, Seattle will rely on Oluwatimi, whose performance has been a mix of promise and inexperience.
Against Arizona, Oluwatimi’s first snap miscue at the 1-yard line stalled a scoring drive, though he quickly rebounded to help spring running back Zach Charbonnet for a six-yard touchdown. Macdonald stressed the need for clean execution: “Can’t have the ball on the ground in snaps.”
Rams’ interior offensive like Kobie Turner and Branden Fiske, will be looking to exploit any miscommunication or timing issues along the interior line, which could be the difference in a game expected to feature multiple stunts, twists, and simulated pressures from Chris Shula’s defensive line. Jared Verse has also been used as a pass rusher, lined up over the center.
Seahawks Adjustments and Depth
Seattle may also activate second-year lineman Christian Haynes from injured reserve to provide additional depth. Meanwhile, Oluwatimi is expected to start, with Macdonald emphasizing, “Olu is a really good player, and he’s played great football for us. And that’s what we’re going to need from him.”
With both teams at 7–2 atop the NFC West, this matchup is not just about bragging rights — it could define playoff positioning. For the Rams, capitalizing on Sundell’s absence in the trenches could be a decisive factor in reclaiming the division lead.
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