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Rams scramble to reconfigure the offensive line once more, with Week 1 looming

Deep on paper, the LA Rams starting offensive line appears to be dangerously thin heading into a Week 1 showdown with the Detroit Lions.

ByBret Stuter|
NFC Wild Card Playoffs - Los Angeles Rams v Detroit Lions, Jonah Jackson
NFC Wild Card Playoffs - Los Angeles Rams v Detroit Lions, Jonah Jackson | Kevin Sabitus/GettyImages
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The LA Rams have had a lot of time to ponder how to configure their offensive line for the start of the 2024 NFL season. After an active and productive offseason shopping spree, the team seemed to have all the makings of a solid and sturdy offensive line. And that was how the team seemed to approach the 2024 NFL Draft.

The team's initial offensive line configuration was as follows:

  • LT Alaric Jackson - backup Joe Noteboom
  • LG Jonah Jackson - backup Zach Thomas
  • C Steve Avila - backup Beaux Limmer
  • RG Kevin Dotson - backup Logan Bruss
  • RT Rob Havenstein - backup Warren McClendon

In all honesty, that not only seemed to be an outstanding starting five, but also a set of backup offensive linemen who all had enough talent to be at least good enough to spot start in case a starter was injured. But then injuries happened, and the depth of the offensive line was challenged. At that point, the team pivoted, and the offensive line configuration became:

  • LT Joe Noteboom - backup AJ Arcuri
  • LG Zach Thomas - backup Justin Dedich
  • C Steve Avila - backup Beaux Limmer
  • RG Kevin Dotson - backup Logan Bruss
  • RT Warren McClendon - backup KT Leveston

While this configuration seemed to be enough to carry the team through preseason, the Rams expectations were anchored in the belief that LT Alaric Jackson (ankle), LG Jonah Jackson (shoulder), and RT Rob Havenstein (ankle/foot) were on track to return in time for the 2024 NFL season opener on the road for Sunday Night Football to face the Detroit Lions in Week 1.

But the team was not done yet. The team learned that Alaric Jackson, while still attempting to get healthy enough to suit up to play, learned that he was served with a two-game suspension. Meanwhile, RT Rob Havenstein and his recovery from a foot/ankle injury are now not expected to happen in time for Week 1.

The team needed to come up with a contingency plan, and quickly. After all, few NFL teams face starting an NFL season with their two starting offensive tackles would not be ready to go for their 2024 NFL season debut. So, it was back to the drawing board, and quickly, to see how the team could reconfigure the remaining healthy players to put the best five offensive linemen onto the football field:

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