An offseason in which his life changed, when he earned the generational wealth of a three-year, $56.3 million contract, turned in a way that Alaric Jackson could not have predicted.
An ultrasound on June 9 revealed that the Rams’ left tackle had blood clots in his leg. Unlike in 2022 when Jackson dealt with a provoked clot in his lungs, these were categorized as “unprovoked,” meaning that a cause could not be identified and the risk of recurrence was higher.
At first, Jackson wondered when he would be able to play football again. Would a lengthy sabbatical be needed for his health? But he listened to his doctors and the Rams’ medical staff and did what he could this offseason, conditioning and lifting weights even if he couldn’t practice in full while he still received treatment.
“I was kind of shocked honestly, for a while,” Jackson said. “I’m in a good space now about it.”
Jackson will continue to need regular monitoring for the blood clots, but he is cleared for Week 1 action Sunday against the Houston Texans. And with the challenge the Texans present, and the condition of quarterback Matthew Stafford also bearing monitoring, Jackson’s return couldn’t come a minute too soon for the Rams.
Waiting for him at SoFi Stadium will be one of the premier pass rushes in the NFL. Edge rushers Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. combined for 13 sacks. They are orchestrated by head coach DeMeco Ryans, who called blitzes at a 26.6% rate in 2024.
That kind of combination, particularly in Week 1 when teams are still hiding their offseason adjustments, would draw the Rams’ attention regardless of the circumstances. But the circumstances of this summer make it even more imperative.
While Jackson toiled with the training staff on the sidelines, Stafford was in street clothes for all of July and the first half of August. An aggravated disk in his back was the culprit, and an evolving timeline for when he might return only heightened the suspense around the situation.
Like Jackson, Stafford is cleared for Week 1. Like Jackson, Stafford’s back will require monitoring and attention, likely throughout the season. That’s nothing new for Stafford, who has played through countless injuries in his career. But it doesn’t mean the entire Rams sideline won’t hold its breath when he takes his first hit Sunday.
“I’m going to go play the game. Whatever happens, happens,” Stafford said. “I’m playing like I always play. I have no issues with a physical game. Obviously, I would love to stay as clean as possible, but I’m not thinking twice about that at all. I’m out there ready to go play.”
Stafford has had three full weeks of practice now to get back into the flow of the offense, the rhythm of reading a defense and audibling at the line of scrimmage to counter what he sees.
For Jackson, he’s had only one week of reps, all coming against the scout defense in practice. That’s a far cry from the ones-vs.-ones reps most of the Rams got to enjoy during training camp this year, and from the defense that Jackson will face Sunday.
But three months after wondering if he would play football at all this year, Jackson is ready to play and that’s not something he or his teammates are taking for granted.
“He’s handled it like an unbelievable professional. I’m so proud of him and happy for him,” Stafford said. “I was behind the scenes for a while doing my own stuff, working out and seeing what he’s doing and how he’s been taking care of business. That’s what you want from your guy. He’s done a hell of a job really his whole career. It’s been really cool to watch him grow into the player and the person that he is right now. I’m just happy for him and wish him all the success.”
HOUSTON TEXANS at RAMS
When: 1:25 p.m. Sunday
Where: SoFi Stadum
TV/Radio: CBS/710 AM; 93.1 FM; 1330 AM (Spanish); Sirius 227, 382