The 148-game starter could return from a long layoff

The The Los Angeles Rams will have their hands full with the Seahawks, and they will need their stars to shine. But they could get a boost from the 148-game starter, who could return from a long layoff for the NFC Championship Game showdown.

The Rams opened a 21-day exercise window for the right move Rob Havenstein, according to NBC Sports.

“Hevenstein has been out of ankle and knee trouble since mid-November,” Myles Simmons wrote. “Hasn’t played since the team’s Week 11 win over the Seahawks, and Warren McClendon took over and played well to help LA reach the NFC Championship.”

The Rams are looking for every edge against the Seahawks

An 11-year veteran, Havenstein has started five straight games in double figures for the Rams. The former second-round pick in 2015 was down to seven starts this year due to injury.

An extra safety for Matthew Stafford certainly wouldn’t hurt things for the Rams. The Seahawks failed to sack Stafford in two regular season games.

However, it seems unlikely that Havenstein could return for this week’s game, having just returned to training.

Rams offensive line is a solid unitaccording to Pro Football Focus. They are ranked #4, even without Havenstein.

“At full strength, the Rams offensive line is arguably the best unit in the league,” Zoltan Budaj wrote. “The biggest development in the second half of the season is almost certainly finding Rob Havenstein’s successor at right tackle. Warren McClendon Jr. has emerged as one of the best players at the position, highlighted by his 83.5 PFF overall grade, which ranked second among all right tackles.

“The Rams’ offensive line gave up 154 ​​pressures — including 15 sacks — on 624 snaps during the regular season. As a result, the unit posted an 86.5 PFF pass-blocking efficiency grade, which ranked sixth in the NFL.”

The current lineup has Alaric Jackson on the left side and McClendon on the right side. Steve Avila and Kevin Dotson are the guards, while Coleman Shelton holds down the center position.

If the line gives Stafford plenty of time to work, the Seahawks will likely have a hard time slowing down the Rams offense.