The Los Angeles Rams entered their Week 17 matchup with the New York Giants having the opportunity to clinch a playoff spot. But the team would be without starting left tackle Alaric Jackson for the contest as he was a late scratch for what was listed as personal reasons.
It certainly put the Rams in an unideal situation as Jackson has been playing well for the team recently and this was a very last minute inactive move. Thankfully, the Rams were able to take down the Giants and clinch their spot in the postseason, but what happened with Jackson remains unknown.
Head coach Sean McVay recently spoke on Jackson, though he wouldn’t reveal exactly why he missed the contest. “Yeah, it was a family situation. If he feels comfortable to share that with you, I’ll let him do that,” McVay said. “I found out, spoke with him late Saturday night and then we obviously notified you guys and the league on Sunday that he was not going to be participating in the game.”
With it being something personal McVay obviously won’t reveal the situation, leaving that to Jackson if the tackle chooses to do so. The Rams coach does expect him back, however, as the team gets ready for its regular season finale.
“But I have spoken with him, and we expect him to return tomorrow and get back into the mix for us.”
Signing as an undrafted free agent back in 2021, Jackson has grown into a solid starter for the Rams on the offensive line. The Rams are locked into the postseason as either a 6 or 7-seed so there really is no need for Jackson to rush back. However, a game against the division rival San Francisco 49ers always means something and picking up a big road win right before the playoffs could do a lot for the confidence of this team.
Regardless, it looks as if Jackson has his situation handled and will be back with the team moving forward which is a good sign for the Rams. Winning at the line of scrimmage is always important, but especially so in the postseason and the Rams will need everyone healthy and ready to go when that gets started.
McVay and the Rams are gonna have their hands full in the playoffs regardless of the opponent so having Jackson on the line ready to handle the best that the NFC has to offer is a necessity.
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