Rams injury report: RT Rob Havenstein upgraded

He was limited on Thursday after sitting out on Wednesday with a knee injury.

The Los Angeles Rams were back at practice on Thursday and had their injury situation improve some. They released their second injury report of the week and two players were upgraded.

On Wednesday, four players sat out with injuries. Two sat out on Thursday with two getting limited work.

Did not practice

  • TE Gerald Everett (knee)
  • DB Darious Williams (ankle)

Everett missed for the second day in a row. With how tight ends have played against the Cardinals, Arizona could catch a break, although they will still have to deal with Tyler Higbee.

Limited

  • T Rob Havenstein (knee)
  • S Marqui Christian (knee)

Havenstein has struggled this season but the Rams need him in the lineup to battle Chandler Jones and Terrell Suggs. Rams coach Sean McVay said he will play if he is able to.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

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Sean McVay shares positive update on Rob Havenstein (knee)

Rob Havenstein could return this week against the Cardinals.

The Rams have played their last two games without right tackle Rob Havenstein after he suffered a knee injury in Week 10 against the Steelers. Rookie Bobby Evans has stepped in and done well, allowing zero sacks and very little pressure in his first two career starts.

Los Angeles could be getting Havenstein back against the Cardinals on Sunday as he continues to progress from his knee injury. Sean McVay shared a positive update on Havenstein Tuesday, but wouldn’t say for sure if he will return this week.

Making good progress with Rob Havenstein,” McVay said. “There’s a chance that he could be ready to go. We’ll have a little bit more of an update as the week progresses.”

Evans has done a good job at right tackle and has led some to believe maybe the Rams would stick with him even when Havenstein returns. That won’t be the case, though.

“If he’s ready to go, we’ll get him back in there,” McVay said of whether Havenstein would start.

The Rams gave Havenstein a four-year, $31.5 million contract in 2018, and he made them look smart for it last season. However, he’s struggled mightily this season, going from playing like one of the best right tackles in football to below-average.

Los Angeles needs him to play well the rest of this season and beyond after making him a top-paid tackle, which would also allow Evans to head back to the bench to develop further.

Sean McVay shares injury updates on Brandin Cooks, Rob Havenstein

Sean McVay said Cooks is likely to return on Monday night, while Havenstein is doubtful.

The Rams were without several key players on Sunday night against the Bears, most notably Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods and Rob Havenstein. Cooks has missed two games with a concussion, while Havenstein is dealing with a knee injury that he suffered against the Steelers.

The Rams were still able to beat the Bears 17-7, holding their offense in check behind a great defensive effort. On Monday, McVay shared updates on Cooks and Havenstein, but said there’s nothing new on Woods, who is still “handling that personal matter.”

“We’ll probably have a little bit more of an update on that later on in the week,” McVay said.

Regarding Cooks, the Rams expect to have him back on Monday night against the Ravens as he’s made good progress in the concussion protocol.

“We do [expect him to play]. He’s been in great spirits, he’s been in good shape. The anticipation is that he will be able to play this week,” McVay said.

Havenstein’s outlook isn’t as positive, though. It was originally considered a multi-week injury, and it doesn’t sound like he’ll be on the field against the Ravens. McVay wouldn’t rule him out just yet, though, which does leave the door slightly open for him to play.

“I would say he’s probably going to be doubtful for this week,” the coach said. “He is making good progress. To have a finite answer on exactly when he’ll play a week from today is difficult. I think the anticipation – just originally with that injury – was that it’s probably going to be a couple weeks. That’s why he’ll most likely be doubtful, but you don’t want to rule him out quite yet.”

Bobby Evans did a great job in Havenstein’s place, all but neutralizing Khalil Mack and any other pass rushers that lined up across from him. He got a lot of help from the tight ends chipping at the line, but it was a solid performance by the rookie.

In other injury news, Michael Brockers went down briefly with an elbow injury, but he was able to return to the game. McVay didn’t express any concern on that front.

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5 takeaways from the Rams’ 17-7 victory against Chicago

The Los Angeles Rams snuck away with a crucial victory against the Bears on Sunday Night Football. Steve Rebeiro gives his takeaways.

(Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Rams snuck away with a 17-7 victory against the Bears in prime time on Sunday night.

It wasn’t pretty, but neither was last year’s Sunday Night Football showdown between these two teams. The Rams lost that one 15-6, but they escaped with a victory tonight.

Here are five takeaways from a win Los Angeles desperately needed against the Bears.

Rookies lead impressive offensive line performance

(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The Rams’ offensive line has been an absolute dumpster fire this year. They went from one of the NFL’s best units last season to arguably the worst in the NFL this year. Last week, they lost two starters, including longtime starting tackle Rob Havenstein to injury. Fans were praying for Jared Goff’s health with a bunch of unproven backups protecting him against Khalil Mack and Chicago’s tough defense.

Oddly enough, the Rams offensive line turned in one of its best performances of the year with its back against the wall.

The big difference was switching from Havenstein, who has started 68 games for the Rams over the past five years, to rookie Bobby Evans, who played three snaps in his career. Evans and fellow rookie David Edwards gave both Todd Gurley and Goff all the protection they could ask for against the Bears. It resulted in a major victory for the Rams in prime time.

Sean McVay will have a decision to make when Havenstein comes back from injury. He’s been a weak link on the line this season, and Evans looked better tonight than Havenstein has all season. Evans should hold the job until he gives them a reason to bench him.

Rams rule out WR Brandin Cooks, RT Rob Havenstein vs. Bears

The Rams have already ruled out two offensive starters for a Week 11 game against the Bears in WR Brandin Cooks and RT Rob Havenstein.

The Los Angeles Rams are banged up heading into a pivotal Week 11 matchup against the Chicago Bears.

After losing center Brian Allen for the season with an MCL injury, the Rams will also be without receiver Brandin Cooks (concussion) and right tackle Rob Havenstein (meniscus) come Sunday’s primetime game against the Bears.

The Rams’ offensive line is a mess due to an influx of injuries, which doesn’t bode well for quarterback Jared Goff, who will face a Bears defense that mauled him last season.

Cooks’ absence will heighten the pressure on receiver Cooper Kupp, who failed to catch a pass for the first time in his NFL career last Sunday in a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers with Cooks out.

The Bears defense might be catching the Rams offense at the right time. Although the Bears offense will have to face a dominant Rams defense led by All-Pro Aaron Donald.

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Rob Havenstein, Brandin Cooks ruled out for Week 11

Sean McVay said both players will be out this week against the Bears.

The injury bug has bitten the Los Angeles Rams hard the last few weeks and it’s really taking a toll on the offense. Not only is center Brian Allen out for the year with an MCL injury, but Rob Havenstein has a knee injury of his own.

Sean McVay announced Monday that Havenstein and Brandin Cooks have both already been ruled out for Week 11 against the Chicago Bears.

Havenstein could be out multiple weeks with the meniscus injury, and Cooks is still recovering from his second concussion of the season.

David Edwards slid over to right tackle after Havenstein went down. That pushed Coleman Shelton into the lineup with the starters.

Austin Blythe replaced Allen at center with Austin Corbett filling in at left guard. Put simply, the offensive line is a mess right now.

It doesn’t help that the Rams will face the Bears’ dominant defensive front on Sunday night, led by Khalil Mack on the outside.