Is LA Rams latest roster move mere precaution, or premonition?

There has been an unprecedented amount of focus on the LA Rams starting offensive line. Of course, that coincides with an unprecedented number of injuries involving the group. If you need a quick refresher, the team invested heavily into the offensive line, with the objective to not only become more consistent and physical up front, but to ensure that the group was as deep and talented as possible.

Just in the nick of time too, it seems. As three projected starters have been fighting injuries throughout training camp and the preseason. They include interior offensive lineman Jonah Jackson (shoulder), offensive tackle Alaric Jackson (ankle), and offensive tackle Rob Havenstein (ankle). So far, the team has managed to rehab Jonah Jackson back to health. But more on that in a moment.

While rehabbing his injured ankle, the Rams learned that Alaric Jackson would be suspended the first two games of the season. So, swing tackle Joe Noteboom automatically found himself the default starting left tackle for at least the first two gams of the season.

Now back to the team's decision with Jonah Jackson. Originally slated to start at left guard, Jackson was moved to center to allow the more robust Steve Avila to start at left guard, his original position from last season. In doing so, the team hopes to maximize the strength of their lone starting offensive linemen by distributing them to either side of the still healing Jonah Jackson. And with Avila at left guard, he has plenty of experience at working alongside Noteboom at left tackle.

In 2023, Noteboom and Avila played side-by-side in Weeks 4 and 17. So there are good reasons to have them both line up on the left side for the first two games in 2024. They certainly have familiarity playing alongside one another.

The decision over who to play at right tackle hinges on many factors

Well, the LA Rams have tried to make the best of a difficult situation, as the team continues to struggle to get Rob Havenstin suited up and on the football field, the reality of the situation is that is looking as though it may be more and more unlikely. And that is despite the final LA Rams injury report giving fans cause to hope for the best.

You see, it's not just about getting starting right tackle Rob Havenstein healthy enough to play. There are others factors to consider. Such as: Is 80 percent or so of Havenstein as effective at the offensive tackle position as 100 percent of his backup, Warren McClendon, at right tackle? And then there are other considerations too,

If the team goes ahead and starts Rob Havenstein, how might reinjury impact his availability for the rest of the season? If he is hobbled against the Lions, might the team have risked the outcome of one game, but lost their starting right tackle for many more games?

This team typically errs on the side of caution. That's why no starters compete in preseason games. In fact, the team typically ends up sitting 30 to 40 players in preseason, so as not to risk injuries to key contributors. The Rams had five running backs throughout preseason. But Kyren Williams, rookie Blake Corum, and Ronnie Rivers did not see the football field in any preseason games.

Ultimately, professional football is a very physical and violent sport. As such, players are subject to injury, which has been the case in 2024. While many of the injuries are temporary in nature, the challenge finding ways to win without key injured players is no simple task. It involves players stepping up, the front office taking steps to help, and a bit of luck.

What about the Rams roster moves?

The LA Rams front office has been a bit busy so far this week. The team re-signed former offensive tackle Blake Larson to the team's practice squad, the team has waived former DE Anthony Goodlow with an injury settlement, placed DB Darious Williams on IR to allow his hamstring to heal, and finally, the team has activated OT AJ Arcuri from the practice squad for Week 1.

The question is, is this a precautionary move, to ensure that the team has an ample supply of offensive tackles to go in Week 1 just in case? Or is there another message being delivered inadvertently with this action? Well, the Rams may be simply taking precautions.

With Joe Noteboom at left tackle, the Rams have only swing tackle Warren McClendon to cover as backup for both starting offensive tackles. With Rob Havenstein already at risk of re-injury, plus Noteboom's injury history, the team cannot be confident that injury in this game won't happen. After all, this is the Detroit Lions we are talking about, a team that applauds physical (and perhaps questionable) hits over the course of a game.

Perhaps premonition is more likely

The Rams have not committed to starting Rob Havenstein just yet. But even if they do, the team will need more than one offensive tackle on hand in case injury happens. And backup offensive tackle A.J. Arcuri is bound to attract some interest from NFL teams seeking offensive line reinforcements.

Pro Football Focus author Thomas Valentine listed Rams OT A.J. Arcuri as one of the Top 2024 NFL preseason performers who didn't make the cut. in his complimentary article, Valentine has this to say about Arcuri:

"The former Michigan State tackle was the Los Angeles Rams seventh-round pick in 2022 and played eight games in that season before spending the 2023 campaign on the practice squad. Arcuri had the chance to stake his case for a roster spot in 2024 and was excellent all preseason.

Arcuri played and started all three preseason games for the Rams, earning an 80.8 PFF overall grade for his efforts, the fourth-highest mark among all tackles, while allowing just two pressures in 82 passing snaps. It was a solid left tackle performance and one that could land him on another practice squad."

PFF author Thomas Valentie

The LA Rams were fortunate to retain Arcuri on the practice squad. When the team waived interior offensive lineman Zach Thomas, he was instantly scooped up by the New England Patriots. And with Havenstein on a shaky ankle, and the team likely to deploy both backup offensive tackles into starting roles in Week 1, promoting Arcuri is a solid decision.

The Rams are not in an ideal situation right now. But the team was wise enough to load up on talented offensive linemen. Now, it's a matter of seeing just how talented the team's depth players truly are.

Let's hope that they can meet this Week 1 challenge, and emerge victorious.

As always, thank you for reading.