The Los Angeles Rams invested heavily in their offensive line over the last few years to transform their offense into one that is better suited to attack modern offenses. Early in the year that plan was dashed, when left guard Steve Avila was injured in Week 1 and center Jonah Jackson in Week 2. They both returned in Week 10, but the line was still missing one of its core members, Rob Havenstein.
Havenstein went down toward the end of the Rams’ game against the Seattle Seahawks and shortly after, head coach Sean McVay announced that it was unlikely that he would return to play against Miami. The final determination was to rule him out of that game.
Joe Noteboom was tapped to take his spot and struggled. He allowed six pressures against Miami, the 8th worst pass-rushing team in the league. That number led the team by three and was tied for six most among offensive linemen last week.
Rob Havenstein Is Unlikely To Play In Rams Vs. Patriots
Now both Havenstein and Noteboom are injured – neither practiced on Wednesday.
According to reporting by The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue, McVay said, “Havenstein could potentially return this week, but it’s ‘probably less likely than likely.'”
Noteboom’s status is left less clear, but according to team reporter, Stu Jackson, they are uncertain that he could play, leaving the door open for 2023 fifth-round pick Warren McClendon to play in their place.
McClendon filled in for Havenstein when he missed the first two games of the season with a foot injury suffered in the preseason and again in Seattle when Havenstein was hurt. McClendon struggled in those games allowing 10 pressures on 97 passing downs.
Noteboom had been on the IR since Week 1 with an ankle injury and was not activated until the Tuesday before the Rams game against the Miami Dolphins.
