LOS ANGELES — The Rams are prepared to be without starting right tackle Rob Havenstein for a second consecutive game Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens.
Havenstein is listed as doubtful for the road contest, but head coach Sean McVay characterized the possibility of the veteran playing as “very unlikely” given that he did not participate in practice in any capacity this week, instead rehabbing the injury.
The expected absence will mean a second straight start for Warren McClendon. The third-year tackle allowed four quarterback hurries last week against the San Francisco 49ers, but McVay said Friday he was proud of the player’s performance in that game.
“I think Warren’s done a great job of just putting the work in. He’s got a great mentor in Rob to be able to lean on,” McVay said. “He’s ascending into a good football player. He’s earned the right to be confident because of the work that he’s putting in. There’ll always be some snaps that you can want back, but I thought we put him in some stressful situations and I thought he handled it really well. And I love his game-day demeanor. He’s nice and steady, thought he played with toughness at the line of scrimmage.”
The Rams (3-2) will get one starter back along the offensive line this week. McVay said he’s seen what he’s wanted out of left guard Steve Avila, who was active the past two weeks but did not participate on offense as he continued his recovery from a Week 1 ankle sprain, to put him back among the starting 11.
“[Avila has] shown that he’s ready to go,” McVay said. “When Steve’s in there and playing like the player that we know and love and that he’s capable of, a lot of good things have happened. … Expect Steve to be ready to roll and do his thing on Sunday.”
McVay did offer praise for second-year guard Justin Dedich, the USC product who has filled in for Avila the past four weeks.
“I think it’s a luxury that we’ve been able to develop, that you feel like you have a starting-capable player in Justin Dedich that’s earned a lot of experience,” the coach said. “He can really play all three interior spots.”
Linebacker Omar Speights (high ankle sprain) did not practice Friday and will be listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game in Baltimore (1-4).
Receiver Tutu Atwell strained his hamstring in practice Thursday. He was limited in Friday’s practice and listed as questionable for this weekend.
“The initial reports were good, but you can’t be smart enough with a soft tissue like that,” McVay said.
Tight end Colby Parkinson cleared concussion protocol this week, McVay said, but is still listed as questionable for the Ravens game as the Rams intend to continue to monitor his progress before putting him back on the field. Parkinson was limited in all three days of practice this week.