Rams are just 1 injury away from starting this practice squad offensive tackle

The LA Rams are running their roster to the edge of disaster in Week 11. That's right, a team with plenty of depth in most places, is suddenly down to a razor's edge of depth at the midpoint of the season. The Rams have two offensive tackles injured this week, and are almost certainly starting offensive tackle Warren McClendon to face the New England Patriots.

But if McClendon was the backup for this game, who will back up him? Therein lies the rub. I love the depth of the Rams interior offensive line players. But mildly stated, the team has run right up against a disaster several times already in 2024 with the offensive tackle position. So who are the Rams counting on to backup either Alaric Jackson or Warren McClendon for Week 11?

He is veteran OT Geron Christian.

No, this is not a 'sky is falling,' article. HC Sean McVay was pleased enough with Warren McClendon's work in training camp to praise him at a press conference. The Rams signed veteran OT Geron Christian to the practice squad in early September. The bonus about this news is that he won a roster slot over former Rams starting OT Ty Nsekhe, a veteran who was solid in his role.

So he has a bit of chops at offensive tackle, he simply fills a swing tackle role for the team in case of emergency. Clearly, with the team facing injuries to two offensive tackles for Week 11, this is an emergency.

Christian was drafted by the Washington Commanders in Round 3 of the 2018 NFL Draft with the 74th overall pick. He lived up to that early selection in his first few seasons in the NFL. But he has struggled to find a permanent role since the Commanders, as he has been a bit inconsistent to warrant a multi-year deal.

The Rams had hoped to have addressed their OL depth issues in 2024. And for the interior offensive line, that has proven to be the case. But backup OT Warren McClendon has yet to have his 'coming-out' game that confirms his upside as a future NFL starter, and rookie OT K.T. Leveston was injured, and appears to be one of the players who will not return to the active roster this season due to limited turns of doing so.

It's clear that the Rams will need to have a much better plan in place for their offensive tackle position for 2025. But for now, the Rams are simply one injury away from starting an offensive tackle from the practice squad.

As always, thanks for reading.

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