The Rams are headed into a bad stretch without one of their most important blockers, and the timing could hardly be worse.
Left tackle Alaric Jackson is facing a two-game suspension after reports that he punched Bills linebacker Bradley Chubb on the field after Monday’s game. Head coach Sean McVay said Jackson plans to appeal, but Los Angeles is preparing as if the ban will stand.
If it does, the Rams will turn to veteran David Quessenberry, starting with this week’s game against the Arizona Cardinals. That’s not the ideal fix for an offensive line that has been one of the team’s steadier units so far. The memory of last season’s collapse without Jackson is still fresh, especially that Week 17 loss to the Falcons.
Quessenberry earned the backup job with a solid camp and preseason, beating out rookie Keagen Trost, who is now on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. The ninth-year veteran brings experience - 30 career starts - but most of that came with the Titans in 2021, when he was a regular starter. He last started for the Vikings in 2023, and in his lone Rams season last year he played just 18 offensive snaps.
It’s not a disaster on its face, but it isn’t comforting either. The Rams are already operating without Trost and Justin Dedich in the offensive line rotation, and this team has plenty of other issues to sort through. Replacing Pro Football Focus’ ninth-ranked tackle was never part of the plan.
McVay said Quessenberry would likely be the starter against Arizona and then again in Week against the Raiders if Jackson misses the full suspension. The Cardinals are coming off a 45-21 loss to Detroit, but they still have Josh Sweat, a pass rusher who can make life miserable for a backup tackle. That’s where the Rams could feel the absence most sharply.
The second game would bring an even tougher test. Las Vegas has dropped games to the Chiefs and Patriots, but under quarterback Kirk Cousins it has generally been competent, and Maxx Crosby is still one of the league’s most dangerous edge defenders. Facing Crosby without Jackson is not the kind of matchup any offense wants.
For now, the Rams don’t have many options. Even if Trost returns from injured reserve, he won’t jump Quessenberry. Big Bill Murray is the only other tackle on the 53-man roster.
In Other News...
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Blake Buchanan arrived in Ames with a different kind of resume than the usual one-and-done buzz, and last season gave Iowa State plenty of reason to believe his presence changes the ceiling. After two years at Virginia, he settled into a role for the Cyclones and averaged 8.5 points and 5.7 rebounds, showing the kind of steady interior production that can matter in a long Big 12 season.
What makes Buchanan especially important for Iowa State is the part of the game that does not always show up first in the box score. T.J. Otzelberger has called him the best defensive big man he has coached, a striking endorsement from a coach who has built his program on toughness and connected defense. With Buchanan returning, the Cyclones are banking on his leadership and rim protection to help determine just how far this group can go. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa States Passing Game Just Took Another Brutal Hit
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Overby had emerged as a leading target for Iowa State, giving the offense a steady option as it tried to keep pace through a difficult stretch. Losing him only deepens the challenge for the Cyclones, who have already been dealing with multiple season-ending injuries at the position and now have to reshape their passing attack again with little margin for error. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa State Faces A Huge Basketball Decision Beyond This Season
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Bigger-picture questions are already starting to form around the womens program, though, because Bill Fennelly has announced he will retire after the 2026-27 season. That gives Iowa State some time, but not much, to think through a succession plan, and several names are already circulating as possible fits, including Heather Ezell, Billy Fennelly and Caroline McCombs. [Read more 🡒]