Is Alaric Jackson playing today? Full injury update for the Rams starting LT

Alaric Jackson is vital to the LA Rams offense. But is he playing today?
Jan 7, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams offensive tackle Alaric Jackson (77) blocks San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (98) during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Jan 7, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams offensive tackle Alaric Jackson (77) blocks San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (98) during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images / Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
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While Fantasy Football team owners seldom pay attention to the status of offensive linemen, I think they will make an exception for LA Rams starting left tackle Alaric Jackson. You see, Jackson has served his two game suspension to start the 2024 NFL season, so he has been eligible to resume normal football activities this week, including suiting up and playing for the Rams in Week 3.

So now the question is, will he?

The LA Rams offensive line has really struggled so far. In just two games, every starting offensive lineman has been injured. Only right guard Kevin Dotson has managed to fight through injury to start in every game so far. The rest of the offensive linemen have not been so fortunate.

In Week 1, the Rams elevated backup offensive tackle AJ Arcuri to start, and his debut was instantly forgettable. Per Pro Football Focus, he played 51 offensive snaps, and committed two penalties, and while he was not tagged with allowing a quarterback sack, he was less effective than an orange pylon.

In Week 2, the return of RT Rob Havenstein allowed the team to slide backup offensive tackle Warren McClendon to the left side of the offensive line. But he fared no better, as QB Matthew Stafford was sacked five times.

Alaric Jackson, while suspended, had a rough go of it throughout training camp. He was one of the first offensive linemen to suffer injury, an ankle injury that was downgraded from day-to-day to week-to-week. Hopefully, two weeks of the regular season later, his ankle is healed and he is ready to resume his role as the blind side protector for Stafford.

The Rams need Jackson back on the offensive line. Matthew Stafford has already been sacked seven times in two games, and he was shaken up in Week 2. This offense, down two starting offensive linemen and three key offensive weapons, cannot afford to lose Stafford.

With Alaric Jackson resuming his post, hopefully that won't happen. Yes, Alaric Jackson is playing in Week 3.

Thanks for reading.

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