Ernest Jones IV did not ask for a trade but he is absent from Rams practice
The Rams practiced for the first time Monday at their new temporary facility in Woodland Hills, but linebacker Ernest Jones IV was not among them.
Jones — a team captain, the defensive signal-caller and the leading tackler last season — is entering the final year of his rookie contract and the Rams want him to play it out before considering an extension.
The Rams on Sunday gave Jones’ representatives permission to explore a trade and new contract with other teams.
After word of the situation leaked, Jones tweeted that he never requested a trade, but the tweet was quickly deleted.
“He’s right — he never requested a trade,” coach Sean McVay said after practice. “We’ve had communication with his representation, there’s been some dialogue with teams and that’s kind of where it’s at.”
Stetson Bennett didn’t play in the Rams’ season finale, but Xavier Smith and Zach Evans made an impact in the team’s preseason finale against the Texans.
With the retirement of star defensive tackle Aaron Donald, Jones was expected to remain a pillar of a defense now under the direction of Chris Shula, who succeeded Raheem Morris as defensive coordinator.
Jones is “a pro’s pro in every sense of the word,” McVay said.
But the Rams appear to be well down the road to potentially cutting ties.
“These are parts of the profession,” McVay said. “They’re not fun parts but they are real parts that you have to acknowledge. ... We’re just kind of dealing with it a day at a time.”
Christian Rozeboom, Jacob Hummel, Troy Reeder and rookie Omar Speights are other inside linebackers on a roster that must be trimmed to 53 players by Tuesday at 1 p.m. PDT.
How would the Rams compensate for the departure of Jones as they prepare for their Sept. 8 opener at Detroit?
“Once we see exactly which direction this thing ends up, then I’ll be able to appropriately answer that,” McVay said.
McVay did not specify a timeline for when the situation would be resolved.
“A lot of discussions that are ongoing right now,” he said. “There’s always a little bit of increased urgency around the league, not just this situation with just the possible movement that can occur here…. We are working through those things and there’s changes by the minute, potentially.”
Jones was not the only notable player absent.
Quarterback Stetson Bennett, anointed last weekend as Matthew Stafford’s backup for the opener, was not on the field because he was “tending to a family issue,” McVay said. “Everything is good with him.” McVay said Bennett would be at practice Wednesday.
Bennett is the backup because veteran Jimmy Garoppolo is suspended for two games for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing substances policy while playing for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones sees an 18-game NFL regular season as something that will help the players financially and help teams grow fan bases.
Left tackle Alaric Jackson, who last Friday was suspended for the first two games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, receiver Puka Nacua and cornerback Darious Williams went through individual drills for the first time since suffering injuries during training camp.
McVay declined to specify why the league suspended Jackson. He did not participate in the full workout Monday, a team official said, so he was not made available to reporters.
The Rams knew the league was evaluating Jackson’s situation but the team did not know there would be a suspension until last week, when the Rams traveled to Houston for a joint practice and a preseason game against the Texans, McVay said.
Asked if there was a legal process that had to be completed before the suspension was handed down, McVay said, “No, there wasn’t anything like that.”
Etc.
McVay said “there’s a possibility” right tackle Rob Havenstein (ankle) could be available for the opener but added “there’s a possibility that he misses it.” With Jackson out for the opener and Havenstein possibly out, the tackles would be Joe Noteboom and Warren McClendon Jr.
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