Latest Rams signing raises more concerns over offensive line injuries

There are approximately 10,000 things to talk about during NFL training camp, and almost every single one of them are less stressful than offensive line injuries. Very few things derail a season quite like a run of early-August injuries on the line, which is just terrific news for the Rams considering that's exactly what's happened so far.

Even after an offseason spent prioritizing the position, the Rams have somehow found themselves in an arguably worse position – right now, at least – than they were last year. Tackle Alaric Jackson is dealing with an ankle injury, right tackle Rob Havenstein has a foot issue, and newly signed left guard Jonah Jackson is dealing a shoulder thing. Those are, according to PFF, three of the five expected starters this year, so you'll excuse Rams fans for indulging a little bit of panic, even if none of the three injuries are expected to be serious.

It also helps explain why the Rams gave basically every available offensive lineman a contract. Les Snead's summer is extremely over. Their latest reported signing shows just how dire things are right now.

Rams are reportedly expected to sign veteran OL Conor McDermott

The Rams got this shopping spree underway with a visit and subsequent signing of former Patriots offensive tackle Conor McDermott:

For those of you who maybe are using your brain space for things besides comprehensive knowledge of depth offensive linemen in the NFL, here's the cliff notes version: McDermott's been in the league for eight years, all with, weirdly enough, AFC East teams. He was drafted by the Patriots but was released and signed by the Buffalo Bills in 2017. He spent two seasons there before moving on to the New York Jets, and most recently was playing in New England. He's never been much of a starter (ha ha ha everything is fine), but his 11 starts over the last two seasons are more than all of his other seasons combined. So that's something!

Realistically, this looks like a move made for the preseason, because unfortunately teams do need to actually field a full team of guys for every game – it's just one of those pesky NFL non-negotiables buried in rulebook. And if McDermott can be a decent backup once the Rams' starters get back into the lineup, all the better. But we've officially reached Panic Time in LA. Imagine what the second week of August will bring!