Rams Injury Report: Can Joe Noteboom be trusted at right tackle?

Just when the Los Angeles Rams were starting to build some cohesion along the offensive line, another injury strikes. Over the past four games, the Rams finally have a consistent starting 5 after Rob Havenstein returned from injury. However, Havenstein’s status will be in doubt on Saturday as he injured his shoulder in training this week. If Havenstein is unable to go on Saturday, Joe Noteboom will get the start.

Rams head coach Sean McVay said Thursday,

“I think Joe (Noteboom) would be the guy that would be ready to go. Warren (McClendon) has done a lot of really good things this year, but Joe has played in a lot of games for us, a lot of big ones games and has done a great job of being able to play both sides. It’s a good problem to have, but Joe would be the guy.”

The thought of Noteboom starting a game for the Rams at this point with the games as important as they are is a scary thought. At one point in his career, Noteboom was a quality first-time starter. With that said, due to the injuries he’s suffered, it’s been a while since he’s shown that level. If Havenstein is unable to suit up, the Rams will turn to Noteboom, a player who has stepped up in critical moments before but has struggled to replicate that form in recent years.

Noteboom has started two games this season in Week 1 and Week 10. In those games, the Rams swing tackle has given up nine pressures and two sacks while the Rams are 0-2. Noteboom played at right tackle back in Week 10 and gave up six pressures on his own. No other offensive lineman gave up more than three.

Unfortunately, Noteboom has become a difficult player to trust both on and off the field. Noteboom has always been injury-prone since he was first asked to be a starter in 2019. But when he filled in, he was mostly a steady presence. A good example of that was in 2021 when Noteboom filled in for Andrew Whitworth during the playoffs. That stretch of games gave the Rams the confidence to give him a new contract.

That was the last time Noteboom really played well. Returning from injury after the 2022 season, he simply hasn’t been the same player. Among offensive linemen with at least 200 snaps in Weeks 1-4 of the 2023 season, Noteboom was the fourth-worst tackle or guard via PFF while allowing 13 pressures. Three of those starts came at right guard. Noteboom played two games at right tackle in Weeks 8-9 and had the worst run blocking grade during those two weeks.

It’s true that Noteboom has played in some big games for the Rams. However, he is no longer the player who succeeded in those moments. Noteboom remains a player the Rams can’t admit a mistake on, and that has delayed their process of finding a left tackle of the future. Now it delays their process of getting Warren McClendon some much-needed game reps as the Rams must decide if he has a future at right tackle. While McClendon may not offer more than Noteboom, he at least has more upside. The Rams drafted McClendon in the fifth round last year.

We are at a point in the season where the games are very important. If the Rams win, they could clinch a playoff spot as early as this week. The Cardinals may not have a player as talented as Chop Robinson or a scary pass rush. They currently rank 30th in pass rush win rate. It’s possible the Rams could get away with Noteboom at right tackle this week. It’s still a big risk, though, given what Noteboom has shown when he’s been on the field for much of the last two years. Again, Noteboom has been more of a liability than a quality sixth man that the Rams expected him to be.

Hopefully, Havenstein is able to play on Saturday against the Cardinals. Havenstein already missed time earlier in the season with an ankle injury. The Rams’ run game has been crucial to their recent success, and Havenstein is the fifth-highest graded tackle in run blocking via PFF over the past four weeks. He is also the 14th highest rated tackle overall.

To put it simply, Havenstein’s presence has been a cornerstone of the Rams’ offensive line, especially during their recent success. With his status now uncertain due to a shoulder injury, the Rams will have to prepare for a potential switch on the right side of their line. Havenstein’s presence is felt especially on the right side in the running game. He has consistently been a ‘set it and forget it’ player. Havenstein and Kevin Dotson are one of the better tackle-guard combinations in the NFL.

We’ll have to wait and see if Havenstein is able to go, but if the Rams have to resort to Noteboom, there will be a lot of turmoil at right tackle heading into the game against the Cardinals.