The Los Angeles Rams are expected to return a majority of their core in 2025, including a pair of veterans in Rob Havenstein and Tyler Higbee who easily could have been cap casualties. Both players can still play at a high level though and project to be starters for the Rams heading into the final seasons on their respective contracts.
It appears Havenstein is still recovering from the shoulder issue that plagued him during the 2024 season though as Sean McVay revealed at the annual league meetings that the 32-year-old underwent offseason surgery.
“We’ll be modified with him,” McVay said. “He got some shoulders cleaned up. It was actually something that I think is really going to be beneficial to him. He feels great. He is working through the rehab process. We’ll probably be careful in regards to how we’re going to handle it through OTAs, just without having pads on. But it’s not going to inhibit his ability – for sure for training camp. We might have to modify him but haven’t really gone down that road with Reggie (Scott) yet.”
This doesn’t come as much of a surprise as Havenstein injured his shoulder in practice and was forced to miss the last two games of the regular season. He returned and started both games in the playoffs, but it was clear that he wasn’t playing at 100%.
Havenstein not being healthy for OTAs is not the end of the world, but it is good to see McVay say he expects him to be ready for the start of training camp.
The Rams return their entire starting offensive line from the end of the 2024 season and also brought back a familiar face in Coleman Shelton, so they should have a chance to build some real continuity heading into 2025 with Havenstein providing leadership to that group.
Sean McVay explains why Rams re-signed Tutu Atwell
One of the Rams’ other signings was bringing back wide receiver Tutu Atwell and Sean McVay explained why they did that despite him not having a big role in his time with the team.
“I think when you look at his body of work, when he’s been able to play – especially in some of the times that he was playing when Cooper was on IR – there was a lot of production,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said.
“And if you project that over the course of 17 games, you just watch what he was able to do. He’s matured as a young man. I love the person, getting to know him, and I think that he’s only getting better. He’s 24 years old. I thought he really improved his route detail. For a smaller guy, he’s got a good catch radius.”
