Joe Noteboom hasn’t played since the season opener against the Detroit Lions and since then, there have been a number of changes to the Los Angeles Rams’ offensive line. Beaux Limmer has taken over as the starting center, Justin Dedich replaced Logan Bruss at left guard and Alaric Jackson has been the left tackle since returning from his suspension in Week 3.
Sean McVay said Monday that Noteboom is expected to return from injured reserve this week but it remains to be seen whether he’ll be given a starting role with Dedich and Jackson both playing well on the left side of the line.
” He was able to start practicing and do all those types of things. With time, I’m hoping that he’ll feel better and better,” McVay said. “Exactly what that means in terms of where he’ll fit in the lineup if that is something that’s a possibility, we’ll see, but I do expect him to be able to go and be a lot further along than he was when we started him a couple weeks ago.”
The biggest question with the offensive line and Noteboom’s return is how much McVay and the coaching staff value continuity. In the last two games, Dedich has played well at left guard. He allowed zero pressures against the Raiders in Week 7 and though he gave up three against the Vikings, he never allowed a hit or sack on Matthew Stafford.
Jackson has also been playing at a high level as the Rams’ left tackle, allowing only eight pressures in five games. It’s hard to imagine McVay pulling Jackson for Noteboom, and it’s unclear if he’ll even pull the undrafted rookie Dedich for his $40 million lineman.
“I think it’s important to identify what’s best for the given week,” McVay said when asked if continuity is most important up front. “I’ve been really pleased. I think he’s (Dedich’s) done an excellent job each of the last two weeks starting against the Raiders and the Vikings, two really formidable defenses. You know what a big deal it is to me, especially as it relates to those guys up front to establish a rapport with one another: How is he playing next to Alaric? How is he playing next to Beaux? What does it look like given the availability of our other guys, the lack thereof practice for those players, or if there is experience? There are so many layers, but it is important. I do think that that was a performance that our group can build on. The more that guys play together, the more that you have a chance to be able to establish the things that I think are key and critical for offensive lines, in particular. We’ll see where that goes from there.”
Noteboom has had trouble staying healthy throughout his career, which has unquestionably hurt his chances of being a starter over the last several seasons. It’s possible the Rams may not feel comfortable leaning on him in a starting role moving forward, knowing it could hurt the continuity up front.
He also struggled badly in the 27 snaps he did play at left tackle this season, allowing three pressures and one sack against the Lions, earning a 7.2 pass-blocking grade from PFF.
Regardless of whether Noteboom start this week or not, he’ll be a backup once Avila and Jonah Jackson return.