Alaric

Jackson

Havenstein’s return is a significant boost for the Rams’ offensive line, though starting LT Alaric Jackson (foot) is questionable, and reportedly expected to play, despite failing to practice all week. The Rams’ offensive line is rounding into form.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Jackson violated the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy and is suspended without pay. “He will be eligible for reinstatement on September 16 following the Rams’ Week 2 game against” the Cardinals. The Rams’ offensive line was already weaker on the left and Jackson’s absence pushes oft-injured former starter Joe Noteboom back into the starting lineup.

Jackson is free to negotiate with any team. His tender comes with a price tag of $4.89 million, with the Rams having the option to match another team’s offer or to let him walk in exchange for a second-rounder. Jackson started all 15 games he appeared in for the Rams last season and earned a PFF pass block grade of 67.2, allowing just one sack on 39 pressures. Jackson has been a solid bookend for the Rams through three seasons and has surrendered just four sacks on 873 pass blocks. That said, it’d be surprising to see another team offer him a deal, given the pick they’d have to part with to get things done.

Fowler reports it is expected to be at the original-round, $3.116 million level. Since Jackson is a former undrafted free agent, it means the Rams would receive no compensation were Jackson to sign an offer sheet elsewhere and L.A. declined to match. A bit player his first two years in the league, Jackson became a 15-game starter last season, holding up surprisingly well on Matthew Stafford’s blindside. 26 in July, Jackson is old for a fourth-year pro but still relatively young and projectable for a tackle.

McVay said Higbee, who has yet to practice this week, would do some stuff at practice on Friday. It sounds like Higbee will be listed as a limited participant in the Rams’ final practice session of the week. Higbee should be able to play through the issue, though it will be worth monitoring when the Rams release their inactives ahead of kickoff. Left tackle Alaric Jackson and wide receiver Ben Skowronek are also questionable.

Jackson had been Los Angeles’ fill-in tackle for Joseph Noteboom, and the depth chart continues to only get worse for Matthew Stafford. Jackson’s replacement will probably be journeyman Ty Nsekhe.

Jackson (6'6/315) did not play as well as many anticipated he would in 2019, due in large part to a bone bruise that he suffered during the first quarter of Iowa’s opening game. The redshirt senior returned to school in hopes of both earning his degree and improving his draft prospects, and that’s exactly how things played out. Jackson was a unanimous first team all-Big Ten selection at left tackle, and he was one reason why Iowa quarterbacks were sacked just nine times in seven games. Jackson projects to be a Day 3 selection this spring, but that status may be far more secure than it was last year.

Jackson (6'6/320) was considered one of the top tackle prospects coming into the 2019 season, but he suffered a bone bruise just 15 plays into the season, and he never was truly healthy again for the remainder of the campaign. He’s expected to be ready to roll for the start of the season for the Hawkeyes, and he should be back to protecting the blind-side for the Iowa quarterbacks this fall. Who that quarterback will be is still up for debate, but Jackson should help keep that pocket clean.

Jackson (6'6/320) has not appeared in a game since the season opener, as he suffered a bone bruise in his knee during the win over Miami University. The redshirt junior made 12 starts at left tackle last season for the Hawkeyes, earning second team all-Big Ten honors. In Jackson’s absence Tristan Wirfs, a projected first round pick, has been moved over from right to left tackle.

Jackson went down early in Iowa’s season opener and did not return to action. Ferentz stated that Jackson suffered a bone bruise and a sprain to his right knee. Thankfully, the injury does not appear serious enough to keep Jackson out for a significant amount of time and it’s encouraging that he is already moving around without crutches. Jackson is in his third season as the Hawkeyes starting left tackle and has the makings of a future pro.