The Los Angeles Rams offensive line was ravaged from injuries during the 2022 season, forcing the team to start several different combinations of players.
However, training camp is a different story as several key members along the line are back and fully healthy. One key returning piece is Alaric Jackson, who was shut down late last season due to blood clots after being placed on blood thinners.
Jackson thrived as the Rams’ starting left tackle, though he will be in competition with Joe Noteboom for the spot. While he isn’t guaranteed to start on the left side, Jackson expressed how happy he is to be healthy and back on the field following his hscare, via Stu Jackson of TheRams.com:
“I’m just blessed, bro, honestly,” Jackson told theRams.com this week. “I didn’t know how much I loved football until I couldn’t play anymore. It really sucked, honestly. But just being here now, just getting the chance to start now, the opportunity I’m getting, I’m just happy as hell to be out here.”
The former undrafted free agent split time at right guard and left tackle in 2022 but expressed that he’s enjoying the chance to compete against Noteboom for the left tackle job:
“It’s amazing, because how these things go, you’re usually kind of set where you’re at contract-wise in a sense, but they made it clear that open and up for grabs,” Jackson said. “I’m loving the chances for me and Joe to compete at the LT1 spot. And that’s also my guy, so I want him to do well as well.”
Outside of the stars on the team, Los Angeles has numerous starting spots available and Jackson has a decent shot of standing out from the rest of the offensive lineman room. His versatility and experience in the system gives him a solid edge, though it’s still too early in camp for the coaching staff to have made any decisions.
It’ll be interesting to watch how the position battles shake out, but the good news is that players like Jackson will be available when the new year kicks off.
Logan Bruss ready to return for torn ACL
Aside from Jackson, the Rams are also going to be getting back Logan Bruss, who missed the entirety of 2022 due to a torn ACL and MCL he suffered in the preseason.
The former third-round pick spent the past year recovering from his injuries and is confident that once he gets back to speed he’ll be able to contribute.
