Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay has officially ruled out offensive lineman Kevin Dotson for the Wild Card game against the Carolina Panthers this Saturday.
The Los Angeles Rams are ready to capitalize on a fantastic season as they go on to face the Carolina Panthers in the Wild Card game this Saturday. However, it looks like they'll be missing a key player to their offensive success.
According to Stu Jackson of TheRams.com, rams head coach Sean McVay confirmed that offensive lineman Kevin Dotson will officially be out when they head to Bank of America Stadium on Jan. 10.
"Sean McVay said OL Kevin Dotson will be OUT for Saturday’s Wild Card game at Panthers, though Dotson is making good progress," Jackson said on social media.
Dotson was a starting offensive lineman for the first 15 games of this season. However, he suffered an ankle injury and hasn't played or practiced since the Rams faced the Atlanta Falcons in Week 17.
Dotson is widely considered one of the best players at his position in the NFL. According to Pro Football Focus, he finished the 2025 NFL Season ranked third in offensive grade and run blocking grade among NFL guards.
Among all NFL offensive linemen, Dotson was ranked eighth in run blocking and tenth in offensive grade.
If the Rams are able to beat the Panthers and move on to the Divisional Round, there is still hope that Dotson will be able to get back on the gridiron.
Dotson began his football career with the Ragin' Cajuns at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where he played from 2015 to 2019. During his tenure, he was a first-team All-Sun Belt in 2018 and 2019 as well as a first-team All-American in 2019.
In the 2020 NFL Draft, Dotson was selected in the fourth round with the 135th overall pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
After starting four games in his rookie season, Dotson entered 2021 as the Steelers' starting right guard. However, the season would come to an early end after he suffered an ankle injury.
In 2023, the Steelers traded Dotson to the Rams alongside a 2024 fifth-round draft pick and a 2025 sixth-round draft pick for a 2024 fourth-round draft pick and a 2025 fifth-round draft pick. He has since remained with Los Angeles as the starting right guard.
In his six year career, Dotson has played in 84 games, 75 of which he started. Hopefully, the Rams will be able to claim a win over the Panthers and Dotson can make his return for the rest of the postseason.