LOS ANGELES — The Rams’ offensive line got some good news Friday, as head coach Sean McVay said right guard Kevin Dotson will be ready to play Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.
Dotson suffered a lateral ankle sprain in the fourth quarter of the season-opening win over the Houston Texans last weekend and was unable to return. But he practiced in a limited fashion on Thursday and is ready to play and continue his streak of not missing a game due to injury since the Rams (1-0) traded for him before the 2023 season.
Left guard Steve Avila, who also sprained his ankle against the Texans, will be listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game, McVay said. Avila did not participate in any of the Rams’ three practices this week, instead rehabbing his injury off to the side.
Dotson’s availability is a big deal in this particular matchup. The Titans’ defense is headlined by tackle Jeffery Simmons, a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time second-team All Pro.
Simmons has made his name with his ability to create pressure from the interior of the defense for Tennessee (0-1). He moves around a lot along the line, most comfortable in the three-technique but capable of lining up at nose or even defensive end depending on the play call.
“He’s a stud. He’s been a stud,” Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said. “I had the opportunity, if you will, to play him a few times. It’s not fun, but again, you like going against some of the best and seeing them at their craft. He doesn’t take plays off. This guy is a beast inside, in both phases, the run and the pass game. He sticks out. There’s a reason he’s one of the better interior linemen in this league. He plays the right way.”
So Dotson’s presence helps negate Simmons, but his habit of playing on either side of the center means that if Avila can’t go there will be some pressure on whoever it is that takes his place at left guard.
Beaux Limmer and Justin Dedich are the two reserve interior linemen, though McVay declined to name a starter Friday. Both have experience at left guard, with Limmer switching between the two positions against the Texans after Avila and Dotson’s ankle sprains; Dedich was a healthy scratch for the game.
“Let’s even date it back to last January, he played three interior positions in his last two football games on Sundays,” LaFleur said of Limmer. “That’s not easy to do. You’re changing your stance. Sometimes you have to snap it, obviously he didn’t in this last game. I have respect for him for doing that. He’s only getting better and better at that guard position.”
Tight end Colby Parkinson (shoulder) will be also listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game.
