Rams’ Rising Star’s Injury Worse Than Expected; Lengthy Absence Looms

The Los Angeles Rams not only lost the rematch game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football, they also lost several players to injury. Among the players who exited the game was sophomore left guard/center Steve Avila .

Avila was the first player selected by the Rams in the 2023 draft and by season’s start he was the top left guard on the depth chart, starting every game and playing 100 percent of the team’s offensive snaps, the only player to do so that year. He played about half the snaps in Week 1 before suffering an injury to his knee. Shortly after, Avila was placed on injured/reserve.

Rams Offensive Line To Be Without Avila Until November

On Friday afternoon it was reported that Avila underwent surgery to repair a tear on his MCL and the team didn’t expect his return until November. When in November wasn’t disclosed. But the soonest he could return in that timeline is Week 8 against the Seattle Seahawks, missing six games in the process. Head coach Sean McVay said they are attempting to “accelerate his recovery.”

Avila was the first addition that marked a schematic shift in Sean McVay’s offense, toward a more physical, between-the-tackles, downhill running game. After the shift’s success in 2023, the Rams doubled down, re-signing right guard Kevin Dotson and adding left guard turned center, Jonah Jackson in free agency. These moves escalated the Rams’ offensive line to one of the league’s most expensive units .

In response to his injury, the Rams moved Jonah Jackson back to left guard and inserted rookie sixth-rounder Beaux Limmer in at center. Jackson played left guard throughout training camp and the preseason before LA flipped him to center and Avila back to left guard.

Jackson missed a larger portion of the preseason due to a shoulder injury and missed spring camp while recovering from a knee injury suffered in the playoffs against the San Francisco 49ers.

The Rams have also been without stalwart right tackle Rob Havenstein due to an ankle injury and left tackle Alaric Jackson due to a suspension. Backup swing tackle Joe Noteboom was also placed on injured reserve. Dotson has yet to have practice this week with a foot injury.

More must-reads:

• Los Angeles Rams News: Breaking Down The Injury Replacements Entering Week 2
• Los Angeles Rams Injury Report — Week 2
• Los Angeles Rams’ Week 1 Rankings In The Wake Of A Loss and Massive Injuries