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Los Angeles Rams: Should Fans Be Worried About Rob Havenstein?

By Matt LaPan

Sep 13, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams offensive tackle Rob Havenstein (79) runs onto the field before the game between the St. Louis Rams and the Seattle Seahawks during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams offensive tackle Rob Havenstein (79) runs onto the field before the game between the St. Louis Rams and the Seattle Seahawks during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Los Angeles Rams invested heavily in their offensive line ahead of the 2015 NFL season. They added players such as Jamon Brown, Rob Havenstein, Cody Wichmann, Andrew Donnal and Isaiah Battle in an effort to bolster the unit and improve the team.

Injuries plagued the offensive line in 2015, leaving many to hope the revamped offensive line would get healthy and help carry the revamped offense in 2016. Through the first few weeks of training camp, that is not going so well as right tackle Rob Havenstein remains on the physically unable to perform – or PUP – list.

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With more than half of the preseason now completed, is it time for Los Angeles Rams fans to worry about the availability of their right tackle going into their return season to the LA area?

Jul 31, 2016; Irvine, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams tackle Rob Havenstein (79) at training camp at UC Irvine. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2016; Irvine, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams tackle Rob Havenstein (79) at training camp at UC Irvine. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

According to multiple reports (such as CBS Sports), Rams coach Jeff Fisher has said Havenstein landed on PUP with a foot injury. This is not the first time Havenstein has seen the injury report due to lower leg/foot issues. During his 2015 rookie campaign, Havenstein missed three games with what was listed as ankle and calf injuries.

While it is not an expansive injury history, it is still cause for concern in Los Angeles. Havenstein has missed more than half of training camp, and has not yet practiced with just 21 days before the Rams open the regular season on Monday Night Football against the San Francisco 49ers.

This greatly limits his ability to learn the snap count of new quarterback Jared Goff, or his ability to work in tandem with new tight ends Tyler Higbee and Temarrick Hemingway and learn their tendencies as blockers. It also puts his conditioning at risk. Havenstein is likely in very good shape, but is likely not in football shape since he has not played actual game or practice situations yet.

Not only does his absence put Havenstein at a disadvantage, but it shuffles the entire right side of the offensive line. In his absence, guard Rodger Saffold has moved from right guard to right tackle with Cody Wichmann sliding in at right guard. This means that Saffold will have a readjustment period when moving back down to guard upon Havenstein’s return.

Saffold is also a bit of an unknown – having played 16 games just twice in his six-year career. This includes just five games in 2015 before going down with a shoulder injury. He lacks the ideal length of a tackle, but does have the strength and run blocking ability to help in running situations for Todd Gurley. The questions will surround his ability to block edge defenders and keep either Goff or Case Keenum upright – especially if his stay at right tackle extends into the regular season.

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It is not to the point of no return, but if Havenstein does not return to the field soon it could have a drastic impact on the success of the Los Angeles Rams offensive line in 2016. It is not time to hit the panic button yet, but if Havenstein does not return soon, Rams fans can start worrying.

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