Los Angeles Rams Will Be Without Top Free Agent Acquisition, But Avoid Long-Term Loss, per Report

On Tuesday evening, the Los Angeles Rams ‘ newly signed left guard Jonah Jackson left the practice field with training staff. On Wednesday morning, Adam Grosbard of the OC Register posted to X that he had spotted Jackson in a sling. By the afternoon, information made its way to the national media that his injury was a bruised scapula and it would force him to miss ‘around six weeks.’

The scapula (shoulder blade) is a bone, shaped somewhat like a triangle, that lies in the upper back. The bone is surrounded and supported by a complex system of muscles that work together to help you move your arm.

Jackson had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his knee this offseason. Over his last four seasons, he has missed 10 games, due to a variety of injuries, none of which were related to shoulder issues.

This report has not been confirmed by team officials.

Los Angeles Rams Avoid Losing Jonah Jackson For Regular Season

If this is the case, Jackson may be ready to return to action the week of the season’s first game; a rematch of the Rams NFC Wild Card round loss to the Detroit Lions — Jackson’s former team. Technically six weeks from the day of the injury puts his return date after that game.

Of course, there will be a loss of time preparing for the season. Head coach Sean McVay has been repeating this season that you have to practice to get better. The addition of Jackson was the final piece of the puzzle of what has been a major offensive line overhaul. In many ways, this offense and perhaps this team will go as the offensive line goes.

The Rams signed Jackson, re-signed Kevin Dotson , and drafted Steve Avila as a two-part plan to protect the 36th-year-old Matthew Stafford and grow the offense into a more punishing rushing attack.

We caught glimpses of what it would look like in the back half of last season. Stafford was pressured at a middle-of-the-pack rate and his pressure-to-sack ratio was 40 percent lower last year than in 2022. It was the lowest in his time with the Rams.

Left guard, Alaric Jackson has also missed two practices after ‘tweaking’ his ankle on Monday. “I think he’s going to be fine,” McVay said of Alaric Jackson.

Alternate Left Guard Options While Jonah Jackson Rehabs

Who will move into that spot while Jackson heals will be revealed over the final two days of training camp, but McVay called Joseph Noteboom an extension of the starting five. Noteboom has played at every position on the offensive line save for center. In 2019, Noteboom played six games at left guard, and in 2020 he played two more.

Another name to watch is Zach Thomas . Thomas hasn’t played much since being drafted by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round of the 2022 draft.

More must-reads:

• New Prediction Names Matthew Stafford as 1st Ballot Hall of Famer in 2032
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