The LA Rams are the antithesis of NFL teams, at least regarding injuries. After fighting through multiple injuries at key positions to open the season, the team is finally starting to emerge late in the season healthy. The return to health has afforded a bit of continuity that has bolstered the performance of key positional groups. The offensive line and the secondary have been major beneficiaries of the team's return to health.
Hopefully, that trend will continue to and through the playoffs.
Not all teams can say the same. The LA Rams Week 17 opponent, the Arizona Cardinals, has already ruled out both offensive tackles for the upcoming NFC West Division clash:
More injury updates:
— #AZCardinals LT Paris Johnson Jr. and RT Jonah Williams have been ruled out against the #Rams.
— #Jets QB Aaron Rodgers has a knee injury and his status is uncertain for Sunday.
— OT Olu Fashanu is heading to IR with a foot injury. No surgery (edited).
—…— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 24, 2024
While I never applaud player injuries, it does seem as though turnabout is fair play. When the LA Rams traveled to the desert to take on the Cardinals in Week 2, the team was decimated by injuries. The team was without LT Alaric Jackson, LG Steve Avila, TE Tyler Higbee, WR Puka Nacua, DB Darious Williams or Ahkello Witherspoon. The Rams have since benched starting LG Jonah Jackson and parted ways with two players who would start during or after that game: LG Logan Bruss, and DB Tre'Davious White.
The Rams have since healed, restored starters to the lineup, and have begun to win games. The opposite seems to be true for the Cardinals. Since their Week 11 BYE, they have lost four of five games. Now eliminated, they arrive at SoFi Stadium in the role of spoiler.
Arizona Cardinals Injuries
- DB Joey Blount - Ribs - Out
- K Matt Prater - Knee - Out
- RB James Conner - Knee - Questionable
- RB Trey Benson - Ankle - Questionable
- LB Baron Browning - Neck - Questionable
- G Evan Brown - Neck - Questionable
Cardinals Reserve Injured (IR)
- ILB Marcus Bailey (Reserve/Suspended by Commissioner)
- CB Elijah Jones
- DL Justin Jones
- DL Bilai Nichols
- OL Will Hernandez
- OL Carter O'Donnell
- OT Paris Johnson Jr.
- OT Jonah Williams
- OLB Dennis Gardeck
- OLB Jessie Luketa
- OLB B.J. Ojulari
- P Blaine Gillikin
- RB Emari Demercado
While the Cardinals roster is not at full strength, I expect every player listed as questionable to suit up to face the Rams in Week 17. Not for any postseason implications, but merely for the fact that they have just two more opportunities to compete before packing up their belongings until 2025.
Los Angeles Rams roster
Rams Reserve Injured (IR)
- OL K.T. Leveston (IR/Designated to return)
- DB John Johnson III
- DB Derion Kendrick
- OT Conor McDermott
- DB Tre Tomlinson
- DT Larrell Murchison
- ILB Troy Reeder
- OLB Nick Hampton
Rams Injuries
Here are the players listed in the Rams final injury report:
- OT Rob Havenstein - Shoulder - Questionable
Havenstein appeared on the team's injury report later than usual. That warranted some clarification from Rams HC Sean McVay:
Sean McVay said Rob Havenstein’s shoulder injury occurred in yesterday’s practice.
Today normally a rest day for Havenstein, but he’s unable to practice anyway because of shoulder.
Hopeful about availability but “we’ll see.”
Joe Noteboom would start at RT if Havenstein can’t…— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) December 26, 2024
Havenstein has played in 11 of 15 games for the Rams in 2024. But he has appeared on the team's injury report more often, and has successfully fought off minor injuries to compete on game day. Still, he 32 years old, is competing in his tenth NFL season, and durability is beginning to wane.
Even if Rob Havenstein starts 17 games in 2025, it would be prudent for the team to address the offensive tackle position in the 2025 NFL Draft. As it now stands, contracts for both left tackle Alaric Jackson and swing-tackle Joe Noteboom expire at the end of this year. While Warren McClendon Jr. has gotten some quality reps this season, the same cannot be said of rookie K.T. Leveston, who has spent all of 2024 on IR.
The Rams offensive line depth was tested heavily this season, and the team has since lost both IOL Zach Thomas and Logan Bruss. Since the team has reinforced the interior of the offensive line with starters Steve Avila and Beaux Limmer through the draft, Kevin Dotson via trade, and Jonah Jackson via free agency, the offensive tackle position is the next logical step to be addressed in 2025.
Hopefully, veteran RT Rob Havenstein will start and play well in Week 17. The Rams have had a late-season winning streak since the starting offensive line has taken the football field together. With two games remaining on the 2024 Rams schedule, it would be nice to see them finish out the year together.
As always, thanks for reading.
