Kevin Dotson Injury Fallout: Rams Lose Key Lineman, Seahawks’ Hall Suspended
The Los Angeles Rams suffered a significant blow on Thursday night when starting right guard Kevin Dotson went down with an ankle injury during their loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Dotson was carted off the field and later seen on crutches with a walking boot-an ominous sign for a player who has been a cornerstone of the Rams' offensive line.
The injury occurred early in the first quarter under controversial circumstances. Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall stepped on Dotson in what the league has deemed an “act of unnecessary roughness and unsportsmanlike conduct.”
Hall was not flagged during the game, but the NFL reviewed the play and handed down a one-game suspension. Hall is appealing the decision.
For the Rams, losing Dotson is more than just a hit to their depth-it’s a disruption to one of their most consistent units. Since arriving in Los Angeles via trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers in August 2023, Dotson has been a rock on the interior line.
He started 14 games in his first season with the Rams, allowing just four sacks and seven quarterback hits across 881 snaps. That kind of production earned him a three-year, $48 million contract extension, with $32 million guaranteed.
That deal now looks like a bargain given his performance and reliability.
Dotson followed up his breakout campaign with another strong showing in 2024, playing in all 17 regular season games and both of the Rams’ playoff contests. He posted a 77.7 offensive grade from Pro Football Focus-his second-best mark as a pro-and ranked among the league’s top 10 guards according to PFF’s Jim Wyman.
His absence will be felt immediately. Dotson’s strength in pass protection and ability to open lanes in the run game have been central to the Rams’ offensive rhythm. Replacing that kind of production midseason is no easy task, especially as the playoff picture tightens.
Dotson’s journey to Los Angeles started with a trade that raised eyebrows at the time. The Steelers sent Dotson to the Rams in exchange for a 2024 fourth-round pick, also including their own fifth-rounder in the deal. Pittsburgh had signed veteran guard Isaac Seumalo in the 2023 offseason and seemed ready to move on from Dotson, likely believing they had enough depth to absorb the loss.
That move has since been second-guessed by some around the league, especially given Dotson’s emergence in L.A. and the Steelers’ ongoing struggles to find consistency along their offensive front.
Offensive line specialist Duke Manyweather, who trains both Dotson and former Steelers lineman Kendrick Green, didn’t hold back when discussing Pittsburgh’s handling of their young linemen. Speaking on the Chipped Ham and Football Podcast, Manyweather criticized the Steelers’ approach to positional flexibility.
“I respect Coach Tomlin and I respect Pat Meyer, got a great relationship with both of them, and I’ve been very frank with them about this,” Manyweather said. “Kendrick Green should have been playing left guard from the start like he is down in Houston.
Kevin Dotson should have been playing right guard from the start. There’s this conversation that always goes on about ‘guys need to be able to play both sides,’ that’s bullshit.”
While the Steelers have moved on, the Rams now face the challenge of moving forward without one of their most reliable linemen. With Dotson sidelined indefinitely, the pressure is on for the Rams’ offensive line to regroup and protect quarterback Matthew Stafford down the stretch.
As for Derick Hall, the league’s suspension sends a clear message about player safety-especially when it comes to actions that go beyond the whistle. Whether his appeal is successful or not, the incident has already impacted two teams in very different ways.