Austin Corbett has been projected to be the Rams’ starting center since the team’s offseason workout program when he was getting first-team reps in the middle of the line. But something changed on Monday in practice when Brian Allen was getting reps ahead of Corbett, leading to Corbett moving to right guard in Bobby Evans’ place.
The Rams then released their first unofficial depth chart on Tuesday with Corbett listed as the starting center, only to update it three hours later with Allen taking Corbett’s spot with the first-team unit. It was only natural that Sean McVay would be asked about the center competition after Tuesday’s practice, and he confirmed that Allen is winning that battle.
If the Rams were to play a game tomorrow, Allen would be the starter, not Corbett.
"If we were to play right now, he’s done a good job, and he would be our center.”
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) August 11, 2021
– Sean McVay confirms to @JB_Long that Brian Allen is winning the starting job…for now.
Allen was the starting center in 2019 but didn’t exactly play at a high level. He then suffered a severe knee injury that ended his season and limited him last offseason.
McVay said Monday that he looks strong and has been impressive in practice, but if the offensive line isn’t going to regress this season, he has to play better than he did in his last opportunity as a starter.
With the center competition ongoing, Corbett and Allen will probably both play in the preseason to help settle this battle before Week 1.