Los Angeles Rams made tough decisions regarding Offensive Lineman who suffered a shoulder injury in the 26-20 season-opening overtime loss to the Detroit Lions. He played the following game before being placed on IR in Week 3.

The Los Angeles Rams face difficult roster decisions regarding players from last season.

NFL.com’s Matt Okada highlighted players teams should consider cutting to save cap space, including Rams offensive guard Jonah Jackson.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford carries a $49.5 million cap hit for the 2025 season, but Okada believes Jackson is a strong release candidate regardless of Stafford’s status.

Jackson suffered a shoulder injury in the Rams’ 26-20 overtime loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 1. He played in the following game but was placed on injured reserve in Week 3.

“…As a standard release, Jackson would account for $11.3 million in dead money, saving just $3.3 million in 2025, but if designated as a post-June 1 cut, the team would net $9 million in savings,” Okada explained.

If released after June 1, the Rams would save $9 million rather than just $3.3 million. Jackson signed a three-year, $51 million contract last March.

Jackson began his college career at Rutgers in 2016, spending three seasons there before transferring to Ohio State in 2019.

Selected in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, Jackson earned a Pro Bowl selection in his second season. He played for the Lions from 2020-23 before joining the Rams.

The Rams finished the regular season 10-7, winning the NFC West and securing a playoff spot. They defeated the Minnesota Vikings 27-9 in the Wild Card round but were eliminated by the Philadelphia Eagles in the Divisional Round, falling 28-22.