It appears the separation day at right tackle is approaching.
According to Daniel Popper of The Athletic, fourth-year tackle Trey Pipkins took every first-team rep at right tackle in practice on Monday. Before practice, head coach Brandon Staley also indicated that a decision in the competition was looming.
Earlier this month, offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said of Pipkins:
“I feel like there’s confidence. More consistency, understanding that you have to come out every day and be ready to go. I haven’t seen some of the dips, maybe, that we saw last year in his performance. A lot of consistency. He’s a talented guy. He’s been playing more like what you would expect from him so far in camp. I just see more confidence and consistency.”
In Los Angeles’ preseason game against the Cowboys Saturday night, Pipkins did not give up a pressure in 12 pass-blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus. Norton, meanwhile, allowed one pressure in his 13 snaps. Unfortunately, that lone pressure may have been the separation the coaching staff has been looking for all offseason.
Pipkins has not been a world-beater at right tackle, nor did we expect him or Norton to be going into this competition. But his growing consistency and solid performance against Dallas’ second-teamers are encouraging signs for his development. Pipkins spent the summer working with Rashawn Slater and renowned offensive line trainer Duke Manyweather, leading many to predict a breakout for the 25-year-old. It may be time to stop calling him a developmental tackle as he enters his fourth season, but it’s also looking like it’s about time to start calling him the starter.