Reeling at several offensive positions, the Rams received some good news regarding their left tackle. Andrew Whitworth returned to practice Wednesday.
The former All-Pro blocker hit key recovery checkpoints sooner than expected. He suffered MCL and PCL tears Nov. 15, halting another strong season. But the Rams may have him back to protect a new quarterback Sunday. They will have three weeks to move the 15th-year tackle back to their active roster.
Earlier this month, Sean McVay did not rule out a Whitworth return for Week 17. That would be quite the bonus for a Rams team that will be without Jared Goff and Darrell Henderson — and possibly Cooper Kupp and Cam Akers as well — against the Cardinals in what could well be a do-or-die game. John Wolford, an Alliance of American Football refugee who has yet to take an NFL snap, is set to start this weekend. Goff is recovering from thumb surgery.
One of the oldest O-linemen in NFL history, Whitworth turned 39 earlier this month. But he played a key part in helping the Rams bounce back from an uneven 2019 season on offense. When Whitworth went down in Week 10, Pro Football Focus slotted him fourth overall among tackles. The Rams have lost to two non-playoff-bound teams — including the previously winless Jets — without Whitworth.
He tore his MCL and PCL less than 8 weeks ago and is already back practicing? Wow.
Practicing in the sense that he is in uniform and on the field. At age 39 he isn’t going to be asked to exert himself much and with 224 games of experience he obviously knows the drill required to prepare for a game.