LOS ANGELES — Rams head coach Sean McVay declined to share any information regarding the reason for offensive tackle Alaric Jackson’s two-game suspension, stating simply, “It was a personal conduct issue and we’ll keep that in-house.”
The NFL announced its suspension of Jackson, the Rams’ starting left tackle, on Friday. The league stated the suspension was in response to a violation of the NFL’s personal conduct penalty, but his exact infraction was withheld from the statement.
Jackson, who has been dealing with an ankle injury, was a partial participant in Monday’s practice and was not made available to the media.
McVay said the Rams were aware of a league investigation into Jackson, but did not remember when exactly he was informed of the matter. He was told of Jackson’s suspension last week while the Rams were in Houston for a joint practice and their preseason finale against the Texans.
There was no legal process that had to be completed before the NFL handed down Jackson’s penalty, McVay said.
In the past McVay has spoken about having certain red lines that he would not tolerate if a player crossed. He elaborated on that topic more on Monday.
“The things that I’m very specific on, the things that come to mind immediately is any time you’re talking about women and children that are involved, being mistreated. But those have never been an issue with anybody that we’ve had here,” McVay said. “I think you also know that we stand for character individuals, people that you want to be able to give forgiveness but you also want to understand what are the ramifications and what is the platform and blessing that we’re fortunate to be in in the NFL.”
Beyond Jackson, the Rams are still waiting to see if right tackle Rob Havenstein (ankle) will be able to play in Week 1 against the Detroit Lions. While McVay ruled out placing Havenstein on injured reserve and having him miss the first four games of the season, the veteran has yet to return to the practice field in any capacity.
That would leave the possibility of using both utility lineman Joe Noteboom and second-year player Warren McClendon Jr. in the season opener as starting tackles.
“There’s a possibility [he plays Week 1], there’s a possibility he misses it,” McVay said. “It’s never ideal, but here’s what I would say is a positive. I think that we’ve been able to get a lot of depth developed especially at the offensive line. Would you have loved Rob and Alaric to have been out here the whole time? Yeah, but do I think we would have seen the growth and maturation of a Warren McClendon? He wouldn’t have gotten the work that he’s gotten and I’ve been tremendously impressed with him.”
