Sean McVay: Andrew Whitworth limited in practice, on track to play

The Rams may be getting back one of the anchors of their offensive line, and not a second too soon.

Andrew Whitworth was limited in practice Wednesday alongside safety Taylor Rapp, but Sean McVay reportedly said Whitworth is “on track” to play in Sunday’s NFC Championship Game against the 49ers. Los Angeles’ left tackle missed last week’s divisional round matchup against the Buccaneers.

Whitworth initially went down in the Rams’ first playoff game due to both knee and ankle injuries. He left early in the first half before returning, but ended up not seeing the field in the entire second half. Joe Noteboom filled in amid Whitworth’s absence and was praised for his strong performance against Tampa Bay’s front seven.

At 40, Whitworth was the second-oldest player to appear in an NFL game this season, trailing only Tom Brady who he took the field against last week. His birthday was just over a month ago, and in the Rams’ Week 14 contest against the Cardinals, he became the first 40-year-old to start at left tackle in NFL history.

To get to 40 as a left tackle requires consistency, as Whitworth has exemplified just that. He spent the first 11 years of his career with the Bengals after they selected him in the second round of the 2006 Draft out of LSU. He jumped to the Rams in 2017, and was named a first-team All-Pro for the second time that season. He currently has three All-Pro nods to his name in addition to four Pro Bowls.

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