Rams Injury Updates: Kevin Dotson, Steve Avila & Colby Parkinson

The Los Angeles Rams earned a hard-fought 14-9 win over the Houston Texans in Week 1, but it came at a cost as several players sustained injuries during the game.

Starting left guard Steve Avila sustained an ankle injury early on and did not return until the fourth quarter. By that time, starting right guard Kevin Dotson had also suffered an ankle injury and did not play another snap.

Tight end Colby Parkinson additionally sustained an AC joint sprain in his shoulder, which limited him to playing less than half of the Rams’ offensive snaps.

Head coach Sean McVay provided updates on the players and said they are all considered week-to-week, via Wyatt Miller of TheRams.com:

Head coach Sean McVay gave some injury updates on Monday following the Rams’ season opener. Offensive linemen Kevin Dotson and Steve Avila are both “week-to-week” with ankle sprains, while tight end Colby Parkinson sustained an AC joint sprain in his shoulder, but still finished Sunday’s game against the Texans.

McVay said Dotson has a lateral ankle sprain, specifically, but didn’t go into detail on Avila, who returned to the game in the fourth quarter after not originally planning to. When asked if Dotson or Avila will miss time, McVay said he’d have more information on their projected workloads on Wednesday, but there’s still a possibility they practice this week and play against the Titans on Sunday.

“When I say week-to-week, I mean, it’s really kind of day-to-day,” McVay said. “So there’s a possibility they could practice. There’s a possibility they might not… I know I’ll have more information and a little bit more clarity as we have a little bit of time for them to get their rehab, see how they respond post-24 hours and 48 hours.”

If Avila and/or Dotson are forced to miss time with their respective ankle injuries, it would be a major blow to the Rams’ offensive line.

Beaux Limmer replaced Avila at left guard on Sunday, but finished the game at right guard when the 25-year-old returned in the fourth quarter.

As for Parkinson, he is currently behind Tyler Higbee at tight end on the Rams’ depth chart. Should he be sidelined, Davis Allen would presumably benefit with more playing time, and rookie Terrance Ferguson could also get some looks. Allen caught a 13-yard touchdown in the Rams’ win over the Texans.

Nate Landman makes game-saving play for Rams

One of the Rams’ newest leaders on defense, Nate Landman, made a game-saving play in the final minutes of Sunday’s game when he punched out the football from running back Dare Ogunbowale.

Landman discussed his forced fumble after the game and said he was grateful to help the Rams secure a win in their regular season opener.