The St. Louis Rams head into their week six bye week with a 2-3 record and coming off of a 21-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers. However, they will come out of the bye week without one of their more experienced lineman on the offensive side of the ball.
It was announced on Thursday that offensive tackle Rodger Saffold will miss the rest of the season.
He was placed on injured-reserve by the Rams the same day news broke about the extent of his injury.
Saffold is scheduled for surgery with Dr. Frank Cordasco from the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. It was earlier this year Cordasco repaired Saffold’s left shoulder, to get him ready for the offseason.
Drafted in the second round (33rd overall) from the University of Indiana in the 2010 draft, the 27-year old Saffold has been a mainstay on the offensive line for the Rams. With him out for the year, Garrett Reynolds officially brings the most experience to the young group blocking quarterback Nick Foles. He’s played 57 games since he joined the NFL in 2009.
As for Saffold, his history of injuries continue on. Only on two occasions has he finished a full season, and his frequent injuries also led to the Oakland Raiders backing out on a free agent deal with him. According to Rams coach Jeff Fisher, Saffold should be ready by February or March.
“Once we got both opinions together, he was willing to try to play, but inevitably it’s going to come out again when you’re talking about the condition of the shoulder,” Fisher said.
So far this season, the pressure of opposing defensive lines has gotten to Foles, as he’s already been sacked nine times. While that’s not all on the offensive line, improvements need to be made as the halfway point in the season is already two weeks away.
(Photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports)
