The Los Angeles Rams improved to 3-4 after defeating the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday Night Football in a game that saw the returns of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua.
The Rams have been getting healthier in recent weeks but still are without several key players. Among them are offensive lineman Joe Noteboom, who sustained an ankle injury in the regular season opener and has been out ever since.
The Rams are expected to designate Noteboom to return from injured reserve this week, which will start a 21-day window for the team to activate him.
However, just like with Nacua last week, head coach Sean McVay believes Noteboom could return sooner than later. “I do,” McVay answered when asked if Noteboom could return for the Rams’ Week 9 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.
“He’s able to start practicing and do all those types of things. With time, I’m hoping that he’ll feel better and better. Exactly what that means in terms of where he’ll fit in the lineup if that is something that’s a possibility, we’ll see, but I do expect him to be able to go and be a lot further along than he was when we started him a couple weeks ago.”
The Rams’ offensive currently consists of Alaric Jackson at left tackle, Justin Dedich at left guard, Beaux Limmer at center, Kevin Dotson at right guard and Rob Havenstein at right tackle.
Noteboom has the versatility to play anywhere on the line, so if the Rams want to get him back into the starting lineup as soon as possible, left guard would make the most sense until Steve Avila or Jonah Jackson return.
Dedich has made the last two starts at left guard after Logan Bruss started there in the three previous games.
Rams’ Sean McVay happy to have Puka Nacua back
Pyka Nacua immediately made his presence felt as he caught seven of his nine targets for a team-high 106 receiving yards against the Vikings. “There were a lot of moments. I think the moment I realized alright, this maniac is really back is when he just stands under the goalpost during our team warmups and just kind of goes back and forth,” Sean McVay answered when asked if there was a moment when he realized Nacua is truly back.
“[Offensive Assistant/Pass Game Specialist] Nate Scheelhaase was kind of looking for him, I said, ‘Oh, hey, that let you know he’s ready to go, just leave him be.’ Really right away. I thought it was good to get that first little drop out of the way and then you get him a second touch on the second play of the game where he ends up catching the screen, breaking a tackle to get a first down.
“His energy, his passion, and his love for the game… this guy is an igniter in every sense of the word. It was awesome having him back out there. I love him.”
