Alaric Jackson, Los Angeles Rams
Getty
Alaric Jackson #77 of the Los Angeles Rams at day one of training camp.
The Los Angeles Rams are emerging from their injury-marred training camp, in which two key pieces were unable to participate fully, and are on track for the regular season. First, the Rams got quarterback Matthew Stafford back in action, and left tackle Alaric Jackson is next.
Rams head coach Sean McVay addressed both players on Monday, noting that Stafford went through a full practice, but also providing an equally important update about Jackson.
The veteran left tackle is dealing with blood clots, leaving him unable to practice in full.
“He’s good. He’s going to partake in next Monday’s practice – Wednesday and Thursday, and then he’ll just do the jog through stuff on Friday. So, it’s really cool. I think we’ve got a good plan in place. Again, that is something, whether you talk about Matthew’s back or the thing with Alaric, that I certainly have never dealt with before,” McVay told reporters on August 25.
“I think that demands flexibility, but we feel really good. He has put so much work in. I think he’s handled it like a total stud, and I’m really happy for him that all things are pointing to him being ready to go and being able to manage this.”
Jackson has started 29 games over the past two seasons for the Rams and was a reserve on their Super Bowl team in 2021-22.
Some hurdles remain that Jackson must clear for the Rams to reinsert him into the lineup.
The Rams notably re-signed Jackson, a former undrafted free agent from the University of Iowa, to a three-year, $57.7 million contract this past offseason, further underscoring that he is a significant part of their plans.
Rams LT Alaric Jackson Still Has Hurdles to Clear
Alaric Jackson, Los Angeles Rams
GettyAlaric Jackson #77 of the Los Angeles Rams stretches during training camp.
This is the second time in Jackson’s career that he has dealt with blood clots. He missed the final nine games of the 2022 campaign with the same issue. That has led to concerns about his long-term outlook and whether the clots could recur during the regular season.
“There’s been a lot of work behind the scenes of being educated on how many people have really been able to deal with this, what’s the best way to be able to have the meds, then you get off of them, so you don’t leave yourself susceptible to some of the things that the medication can – prevent you from being able to play football,” McVay said.
“He’s done a lot of work. I think we’ve got a really good gauge on when those get out of his system, and feel really fortunate that that’s the direction that we’re trending in.”
Pressed on if he was declaring Jackson would proceed to the next phase, i.e., team drills, McVay answered affirmatively.
“Yeah, absolutely,” the head coach said.
Rams Made Contingency Plans at LT
D.J. Humphries, Los Angeles Rams
GettyD.J. Humphries #72 of the Los Angeles Rams at day one of training camp.
The Rams made the bold decision to let former swing tackle Joe Noteboom sign with the Baltimore Ravens in free agency, forcing them to look for outside help amid Jackson’s injury.
They signed former Arizona Cardinals starter D.J. Humphries.
Humphries can still provide value, even as Jackson returns, as an insurance policy at left tackle and behind Rob Havenstein on the right side. The Rams are surely happy to be getting Stafford’s top blindside protector back in the mix as the regular season approaches.
Jackson, Stafford, and the Rams will take on the Houston Texans at home in LA to open the 2025 regular season.