The Rams got the best possible version of bad news on Alaric Jackson: a two-game suspension that was trimmed to one. That takes a little bite out of the damage, but it doesn’t erase the problem. Even one week without Jackson puts a spotlight on a depth chart that is already stretched pretty thin.
And thin might be putting it kindly.
Los Angeles has been carrying injury issues up front for a while, with rookie tackle Keegan Trost and guard Justin Dedich both dealing with problems since the start of the season. That leaves veteran David Quessenberry as the next tackle in line behind Jackson. At left guard, the backup picture is just as uneasy, with the versatile but untested Bill Murray slotted in behind Steve Avila.
Some of that roster squeeze was self-inflicted. The Rams handed out 12 roster spots to five tight ends and seven receivers on the initial 53-man roster, which left fewer openings for offensive linemen.
Without Jackson’s suspension, they might have slid by with it. Instead, the lack of insulation is about to show.
Quessenberry is the man likely to get the call in Week 6, and he brings plenty of experience to the job. The 36-year-old has played in 102 games with 30 starts over a 10-year career, and his biggest run came in 2021 when he started at right tackle for the Tennessee Titans. He joined the Rams in 2025, saw action in five games without starting, and did enough to earn a return this season.
There are reasons to think the setup can work. The Rams have leaned hard into 12- and 13-personnel since last year, and that should help a fill-in tackle.
A tight end can make life easier in pass protection with a chip, and Tyler Higbee has been doing his part. He has caught 20 of 25 targets for 224 yards and a touchdown, giving Los Angeles a veteran presence who contributes as both blocker and receiver.
Quessenberry also gets some help from what’s happening elsewhere on the line. Matthew Stafford has been one of the more protected high-volume quarterbacks in the league.
Among quarterbacks with at least five starts, only the Raiders’ Fernando Mendoza, the 49ers’ Brock Purdy and the Cowboys’ Dak Prescott have taken fewer sacks than Stafford. And Stafford is still averaging more than 43 passes per game.
Even with that support, the Rams can’t afford to treat Jackson’s absence like a small inconvenience. They need wins, and they need them now. Week 6 against the Cardinals is one they can’t let slip if their playoff hopes are going to be taken seriously.
In Other News...
Ex-Rams Kicker Harrison Mevis Draws Fresh Heat After Release
Harrison Mevis short run with the Rams ended the same way kicking jobs often do in this league, with one bad performance carrying outsized consequences. After missing key field goals against the Bills, the former Los Angeles kicker was let go, closing out a stretch in which he had made five of nine field goal attempts while converting all 14 extra-point tries.
Mevis release has since been followed by another wave of attention online, with social media posts alleging he liked Instagram accounts belonging to high school girls. The claims are being spread through screenshots and have not been independently confirmed, but they have added an awkward off-field layer to a departure that was already defined by pressure, inconsistency, and a team looking for more stability at the position. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Just Caught A Break In This NFC West Matchup
A division game always gets a little more interesting when one side has to shuffle its plans, and the Rams just got a bit of relief on that front. Arizona ruled out rookie running back Jeremiyah Love for Week 6 because of an ankle injury, another setback in a season that has already been interrupted by health issues. He did not practice this week, which left little doubt he would not be available for Sunday.
From Los Angeles perspective, the absence changes the look of the Cardinals offense and puts more on Tyler Allgeier to carry the backfield load. There is no specific timetable for Loves return, so the Rams will line up against a familiar NFC West opponent without having to account for one of Arizonas more intriguing young pieces. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Just Caught A Break In The Cardinals Passing Game
The Cardinals decision to send Marvin Harrison Jr. to Houston changes the look of their passing game in a hurry, and its the kind of move the Rams had reason to notice. Harrisons production this season had been limited, but his presence still mattered for an Arizona offense that needed every reliable target it could get. Now the Rams are facing a division rival without one of the most recognizable names in the receiving room.
For Los Angeles, the break is twofold: one less weapon to account for and one less player who has given their defense problems in the past. It also means the Rams can expect more attention to shift toward Arizonas other options, which should make the assignment a little clearer for a defense preparing for a familiar NFC West opponent. Even if the Cardinals try to adjust quickly, this is the sort of midseason change that can alter a matchup before it ever kicks off. [Read more 🡒]