Most of the news coming out of Los Angeles Rams training camp thus far has unfortunately been injury updates. The secondary and the offensive line, in particular, have been absolutely hammered by the injury bug, with Derion Kendrick, Darious Williams, Jonah Jackson, Rob Havenstein and Alaric Jackson all suffering injuries.
Kendrick and Williams, the corners, face more significant timelines to a return with the former out for the season and the latter out indefinitely. The offensive linemen, fortunately, seem to have lesser issues, with none expected to miss major time.
Alaric Jackson, as head coach Sean McVay says, is expected to return soon from an ankle injury and there is no concern of a long-term injury, according to Stu Jackson of TheRams.com:
McVay also said offensive lineman Alaric Jackson (ankle) will “be back sooner than later.”
“I thought he’s had a really good camp when he’s been out here,” McVay said. “We’ll be a lot better when he does come out here, but we don’t want to rush it, either. We’re hopeful that he’ll be ready to go for the Chargers practice, but like I said, we don’t want to rush it. It’s kind of one of those weird deals, but fortunately, it’s not going to be anything we expect to be long-term.”
Jackson is expected to be the starting left tackle for the Rams this season alongside Jackson, Steve Avila, Kevin Dotson and Havenstein. The group, if healthy, could be among the best in the league. But health is an early question mark for this group.
Jackson appears to be the closest to a return from injury, which is great for L.A. given the importance of the left tackle for any right-handed quarterback, but especially as Matthew Stafford tries to stay healthy.
Rams’ Matthew Stafford ranks No. 42 on NFL Top 100
Matthew Stafford entered the 2023 season having to prove some doubters wrong. Injuries wrecked the veteran quarterback’s Super Bowl defense for the Los Angeles Rams, but Stafford came through in a huge way as he led his team to the postseason with a bounce-back campaign.
Stafford finished eighth in MVP voting, fourth in comeback player of the year voting and was named to his second career Pro Bowl.
And his performance in 2023 reminded everyone just how great Stafford can be at his best, as it skyrocketed him back on to the NFL Top 100 List all the way back up to No. 42.
