Rams: Andrew Whitworth carted off with severe knee injury
Rams veteran tackle Andrew Whitworth suffered a scary knee injury in Week 10.
When the medical cart comes out in the NFL, it’s never a good sight as it’s usually for a severe injury. Unfortunately, the cart came out for Los Angeles Rams tackle Andrew Whitworth on Sunday in Week 10.
Against the Seahawks, leading 17-10, Whitworth suffered a knee injury and had to be carted off the field. Though there is no official diagnosis, there is obvious concern at the severity of the injury. Not only could it end Whitworth’s season but, at his advanced age, it may also signal the end of his football career.
If indeed this is the last snap, Whitworth must be given his due for what he endured during his career. Drafted in the second round in 2006 out of LSU, Whitworth spent the majority of his career as a member of the Cincinnati Bengals. Whitworth was a four-time Pro Bowler and two-time First-Team All-Pro left tackle.
After 10 seasons in Cincinnati, Whitworth left for the Los Angeles Rams and instantly became a contributor to one of the better offensive teams in the league. In 2018, Whitworth was part of a Rams team that defeated New Orleans on the road en route to Super Bowl LIII before falling to the New England Patriots.
Who’s going to replace Andrew Whitworth on the Rams offensive line?
Given the pedigree of Whitworth and what his stability has meant to the Rams organization, there is no automatic replacement. The Rams have serviceable backups in Bobby Evans and David Edwards but there truly is not a perfect replacement for Whitworth.
Furthermore, the Rams don’t have a first-round pick in the NFL Draft this season due to a trade with the Jaguars for defensive back Jalen Ramsey. In other words, the possibility of finding a true replacement beyond the 2020 season is daunting.
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Regardless, this is a tough blow for both the Rams and for Whitworth. Let’s hope that he has a speedy and full recovery from the injury suffered on Sunday and that, if this was his last time on an NFL field, that he is appreciated for being the great player he proved to be time and again.