The Los Angeles Rams have dealt with significant injuries to their offensive line over the past week of training camp. They have lost three starters already to what the team is considering week-to-week injuries, with Alaric Jackson (ankle), Rob Havenstein (foot) and Jonah Jackson (shoulder) all on the mend.
None of the three are expected to be out for a majority of the season. However, the week-to-week distinction could put each of the players in jeopardy for opening week against the Detroit Lions with just about one month to go. Head coach Sean McVay needed to turn to a backup option once all three players went down in rapid succession.
The Rams are reportedly expected to turn to veteran right tackle Conor McDermott to enter the mix and potentially be a starter when Week 1 rolls around, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network:
The #Rams are expected to sign veteran OL Conor McDermott, sources say. The former sixth-round pick of the #Patriots out of UCLA, who started five games last season in his second stint in New England, returns to SoCal to help provide depth to a banged-up offensive line. pic.twitter.com/pCtcJUzZmM
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 6, 2024
McDermott has spent the entirety of his career in the AFC East up to this point. His first two seasons — after being selected by the New England Patriots in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL Draft — were with the Buffalo Bills. He played in eight total games before moving over to the New York Jets.
He played in 28 games and started in six with the Jets before joining the Patriots to be a full-time starter at the beginning of the 2022 season. He spent the next two seasons bouncing between the Jets and the Patriots, and finally finds a new regional home in L.A., where he attended college at UCLA.
The Rams may not need McDermott to start games if Havenstein, Alaric or Jonah can make a return. But he has proven at multiple destinations that he is capable of being a serviceable game-to-game option.
Rams’ Puka Nacua week-to-week
The injuries aren’t just affecting the cornerback room and the offensive linemen. Second-year wide receiver Puka Nacua is also considered week-to-week after suffering a knee injury in training camp. The injury was reportedly described as not serious, but the Rams seem to be taking as many precautions as possible when it comes to their top players. Nacua should be good to go for Week 1.
