Steve Avila and Jonah Jackson were supposed to fortify the interior of the Rams’ offensive line this season but both of them went down with injuries in the first two weeks and have yet to return. Avila injured his knee in the season opener and Jackson aggravated a shoulder injury in Week 2, sidelining both of them ever since.
The Rams have been patiently awaiting the return of their versatile linemen and this could be the week they come back. Sean McVay told reporters on Monday that both Jackson and Avila could be ready to play against the Dolphins next Monday night, a big Week 10 showdown at SoFi Stadium.
Jackson began the year as the starting center and Avila opened the season at left guard, but they each have the position flexibility to play either spot. It’s unclear how the Rams will deploy their two linemen when they do return, but they should become immediate starters either way.
In their place, Justin Dedich and Logan Bruss held down the fort at left guard, while rookie Beaux Limmer has played well at center. It could be hard to bench Limmer with the way he’s playing, but Avila and Jackson are two premier players who should make the Rams better right away.
McVay says Avila and Jackson could be ready to play against the Dolphins as well https://t.co/4dNdjJ5xhj
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) November 4, 2024
At the very least, both Jackson and Avila will return to practice this week, starting their 21-day windows to be activated from IR. So even if they don’t make it back for Monday’s game, they will have to be activated in the next three weeks.
It sounds like they’ll return much sooner than that, though.
