Rams face uphill battle in Wild Card game without two key contributors

The Los Angeles Rams will enter the Wild Card round without two meaningful contributors, and the absences are significant against a Carolina Panthers team that arrives fully healthy.

The Rams ruled out right guard Kevin Dotson (ankle) and wide receiver Jordan Whittington (knee) on their final injury report, thinning both the offensive line and skill-position depth. While Los Angeles has navigated injuries throughout the season, losing Dotson and Whittington simultaneously presents a unique challenge, particularly given Carolina’s strengths up front and the Rams’ reliance on versatility across the roster.

Dotson’s absence huge blow for Rams

Dotson’s unavailability is the most concerning loss for the Rams. Since arriving in L.A., he has been a stabilizing force on the interior, providing physicality in the run game and consistency in pass protection. Against a Panthers defense built around interior disruption, his absence could reshape the entire offensive plan.

Justin Dedich is expected to start in Dotson’s place. If Dedich struggles to replicate Dotson’s effectiveness, the Rams could be forced to lean more heavily on quick throws, outside runs, and protection help, all of which limit offensive flexibility.

In a playoff environment, interior pressure is often the fastest way to derail an offense. The Panthers’ ability to attack that specific weakness makes Dotson’s absence especially damaging.

Jordan Whittington’s loss hurts depth and special teams

While Whittington’s role in the offense fluctuated, his absence is still a blow for the Rams. He provides depth in the receiver rotation and fills multiple roles on special teams, an area where playoff games are often decided.

The Rams were hopeful Whittington might push through late in the week, but after monitoring his progress in practice, the team ultimately determined he couldn’t play. Every snap matters in the postseason, and losing a versatile player like Whittington removes a layer of flexibility that head coach Sean McVay often relies on.

Panthers built to capitalize

What makes these absences sting even more is the matchup. Carolina enters the game healthy, with its defensive front intact and capable of exploiting weakened interior protection. The Panthers don’t need to be extraordinary on defense. Winning at the line of scrimmage could be enough to tilt the game.

The Rams still have plenty of talent on both sides of the ball, and head coach Sean McVay has repeatedly emphasized trust in the depth of his roster. But in the playoffs, depth is tested not by opportunity, but by survival.

Without Kevin Dotson anchoring the interior and Jordan Whittington providing versatility, the Rams’ margin for error shrinks significantly. Against a Panthers team poised to take advantage, Los Angeles will need its replacements to rise quickly. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. ET this Saturday at Bank of America Stadium. You can follow along with our live coverage of the game right here on AS USA.

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