When will the starting five of the LA Rams offensive line reunite on the field?

As you read this, the LA Rams will either be gearing up to play or perhaps will already have competed in their third and final preseason game of the 2024 NFL season. Now the team must pare its roster, form a practice squad, regroup, and then begin preparations for a vital Week 1 contest on the road to face the Detroit Lions. But even now, the timeframe of when the team's starting five offensive linemen will be able to suit up and practice together remains a mystery.

But let's start at the beginning. The offensive line is not some afterthought of an offense driven by the best skill players known to NFL Insiders, analysts, and pundits this year. This is team that has gotten down to the basics. And the basic foundation of this offense, and perhaps this team, is a strong and physical offensive line:

The team is building from the center position outwards. That means that second-year offensive lineman Steve Avila must learn to play as a starter at the center position. He played center in college. Now, he will start for the team there in 2024. The team re-signed stalwart IOL Kevin Dotson to flank him to the right and signed veteran IOL Jonah Jackson to slide in at his left. To round out the group, the team extended Alaric Jackson to play left tackle and returned Rob Havenstein to right tackle.

The problem is that Alaric Jackson, Jonah Jackson, and Rob Havenstein have been fighting through injuries that has prevented them from practicing for nearly a month.

And that is beginning to raise the level of concens among fans and reporters who cover the Rams.

While the Rams have little to fear in an ordinary season with minor injuries to offensive linemen, two things are already happening that can and will significantly impact the team through the 2024 NFL season. The first is that durability concerns will force the team to be heavy at offensive linemen for the 53-man roster.

The other impact could be more serious. Unlike other NFL positions, offensive linemen work as a group. As such, they need to have enough reps to understand what each other's role will be when facing a blitz, stunts, and any number of twists, turns, and cul-de-sacs that they will encounter throughout an NFL season. Even if the five starters can go in Week 1, how effectively will they play together?

The sooner these five players suit up together, the better. But as of right now, only LG Jonah Jackson has made progress in suiting up and practicing once more. While his case is the most vital to get familiar with his teammates, The entire unit suffers without the ability to practice together, developing the chemistry and the communication that is required for the 2024 NFL season. Until that happens, the team and the fans have no idea what to expect.

When will the starting five of the LA Rams offensive line reunite on the field? The sooner, the better. But time is running out quickly, so it needs to happen quickly if it will make a difference for Game 1.

As always, thank you for reading.