Fresh off an exhilarating overtime road win against the Seattle Seahawks and in the midst of a three-game winning streak, the Rams (4-4) appear ready to add some reinforcements.
Injured offensive linemen Steve Avila and Jonah Jackson will return to practice this week, head coach Sean McVay told reporters during his Monday conference call. Jackson, who has missed the last six games with a shoulder injury, is expected to return for next Monday’s game against the Miami Dolphins (2-6).
Avila’s progress will be monitored throughout the week, but McVay did not rule out entirely the possibility of the second-year lineman returning this week from the MCL sprain that’s kept him out since Week 1.
Avila was expected to play center for the Rams this season, but moved back to left guard, the position he played as a rookie, before the season opener. Jackson was signed as a free agent with the expectation that he would play left guard, only to be flipped to center, which he described as his natural position.
But that interior combination only played together for one half of football, as Avila sprained his knee in the second quarter of the season opener. Jackson moved back to left guard as rookie Beaux Limmer took over at center, but he was placed on injured reserve following Week 2 with an aggravation of the shoulder injury that cost him most of the preseason.
Limmer has played center for the Rams for the past seven games, and undrafted rookie Justin Dedich has made the last three starts at left guard.
The potential returns of Jackson and Avila will be a boost to the Rams just as they are preparing to be without starting right tackle Rob Havenstein, who sprained his ankle in Sunday’s win over Seattle. The veteran will likely miss Monday’s game against Miami, but McVay said Havenstein is not expected to miss any additional time.
“He’s a tough guy,” McVay said. “I knew when he didn’t come back in that game that he probably hurt his ankle pretty good so he has a sprain there, but it’s nothing that is IR.”
With utility lineman Joe Noteboom set to be activated from injured reserve this week, he’ll be a candidate to replace Havenstein in the lineup, as will second-year tackle Warren McClendon Jr., McVay said.
Rams safety John Johnson III (shoulder) will not return to practice this week, McVay said.
Punter Ethan Evans (illness) will have to clear a Wednesday checkup before he is allowed to return to practice, McVay said.
TRADE DEADLINE
McVay told reporters that the Rams have not substantive discussions about adding any players via trade before Tuesday’s 1 p.m. PT trade deadline. But the team has continued to have conversations about potentially finding a new team for veteran cornerback Tre’Davious White, who has been a healthy scratch for the last four games.
“There’s a possibility,” McVay said. “[General Manager] Les [Snead] has had some dialogues with some teams. Those are very fluid conversations so there is a possibility, but nothing is imminent as of right now.”
McVay wouldn’t rule out the possibility of the Rams releasing White after the trade deadline, but said the team has not had those discussions yet.
“I’ve been incredibly impressed with the professionalism,” McVay said. “One of my favorite things … watching how into it Tre White was on some of the different plays and the excitement. You watch him on Tyler Johnson’s catch on the sideline on the first play of the offensive possession in overtime, it speaks a lot to the human being and the man he is and what a great player he’s been in this league.”