LOS ANGELES — The Rams expect to elevate offensive linemen Jonah Jackson and Steve Avila off of injured reserve ahead of Monday night’s game against the Miami Dolphins, head coach Sean McVay said Saturday.
Jackson (shoulder) and Avila (knee) returned to practice this week after missing the previous six and seven games, respectively, with their injuries. McVay initially anticipated only Jackson being able to return against the Dolphins (2-6), but after limited days of practice Thursday, both logged full practices Friday and Saturday.
So the Rams (4-4) will finally get a chance to see the interior offensive line they built over the past two years through the draft, trade and free agency line up with each other for a full game.
“It’s a start to building the foundation that you hoped to build in training camp. So we’ll see,” McVay said. “I’m really glad to be able to have the opportunity to get those guys back out there. It was good for them to be able to get out on the practice field. It’s really important to be able to get those reps.”
McVay did not guarantee that Avila and Jackson would start against the Dolphins, nor what positions they would play. Entering training camp, the plan was for Jackson to start at left guard and Avila at center, but they swapped positions ahead of Week 1. McVay said the Rams are still trying to work through the moving parts on an offensive line that’s seen a large amount of shuffling due to injury this year.
“And the challenging thing is in the middle of the year, especially you guys have heard me talk about that rapport and that necessary comfort, but they are guys who have played a lot football,” McVay said. “And how quickly can we race to be able to get up to speed, get comfortable with one another? We’ll see exactly what that looks like as we evaluate it.”
While starting right guard Kevin Dotson (ankle) is listed as questionable for Monday, McVay said he expects him to play against the Dolphins. But the Rams still won’t have their full, projected starting line together Monday due to right tackle Rob Havenstein’s ankle injury.
McVay said the Rams are still working through who will start in Havenstein’s place, though second-year tackle Warren McClendon Jr. and utility man Joe Noteboom figure to be the leading candidates.
NOTES
The Rams ruled out defensive tackle Neville Gallimore (neck) for the second consecutive week.
Linebacker Christian Rozeboom was a late addition to the injury report with neck soreness. He was limited in practice Saturday, but McVay said he expected Rozeboom to play despite a questionable designation. The same goes for safety Cam Kurl (knee).
Receiver Puka Nacua was fined $5,424 for his unsportsmanlike penalty foul against the Seahawks last weekend.