LA Rams depth chart will be heavily tested in Week 4

Even with a number of open slots on the LA Rams roster, the Rams are more than willing to elevate players off the Rams practice squad to be available to compete for playing time on NFL Game Day. So far, those elevations have not resulted in much more than some cameo appearances on special teams, but perhaps there is a new gust from the Winds of Change this week.

After the Rams seemed to turn a blind eye to the state of the offensive line after left tackle Alaric Jackson left the game, the Rams were given repeated harsh feedback from fans and beat reporters alike. After all, the game was well in hand until the Rams promoted interior offensive lineman Zach Thomas to take an all-but-unfamiliar position as the team's replacement at left tackle.

That may have worked, if the Rams followed up by giving the guy help with a tight end or chipping at the pass rusher along the way. But the Rams set Thomas up to fail, or rather set up Cincinnati Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson up to succeed. After that debacle, hopefully the Rams coaching staff has reassessed how they plan to approach future games.

Testing the LA Rams depth chart in Week 4

Whether wise or foolish, the LA Rams are not going to make the same mistake in Week 4. That is due to the fact that the Rams not only have placed left tackle Alaric Jackson on the inactive list for Week 4 but have also inactivated his replacement, offensive lineman Zach Thomas, as well.

So what will the LA Rams offensive line look like this week? You can expect that Joe Noteboom will line up at left tackle, rookie Steve Avila at left guard, Coleman Shelton at center, perhaps the debut of Kevin Dotson at right guard (or Tremayne Anchrum can start this week), and Rob Havenstein will fill his usual role at right tackle.

But the LA Rams will need to do more than just restock the offensive line. The Rams play calling in Week 3 set up the offensive linemen to fail, to get quarterback Matthew Stafford to get tossed around like a sack of potatoes, and to place a heavy tax on a young defense that is not quite ready to carry the burden in an NFL game just yet.

The Rams need to win in Week 4. But more importantly, the Rams need to win the right way. Can the team, do so even as the Rams depth chart is put on the spot? Let's hope so. The Rams front office learned some costly lessons in 2022. Let's see if they put those lessons to good use in Week 4.