For most of the season, David Quessenberry has been the kind of player Rams fans rarely think about. That’s about to change.

On Sunday afternoon at SoFi Stadium, the veteran offensive tackle will suddenly become one of the most important men on the field, entrusted with protecting Matthew Stafford’s blind side in a must-win NFC West showdown against the Cardinals.

With starting left tackle Alaric Jackson serving a one-game suspension for punching Bills linebacker Bradley Chubb following Monday night’s heartbreaking overtime loss, the Rams are turning to a 36-year-old journeyman who hasn’t started an NFL game since 2023.

But here’s what fans should know about Quessenberry: The Rams haven’t been scrambling to prepare him for this moment. They’ve quietly been preparing him for months.

“He’s a consummate pro,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. “Even though it’s been a little bit of time, he still has played a lot of good, meaningful snaps.”

Quessenberry has spent more than a decade in the NFL, overcoming a battle with cancer early in his career before establishing himself as a reliable veteran offensive lineman. He’s played for multiple organizations, including the Texans, Titans, Bills and Vikings, developing the versatility to line up on either side of the offensive line. That experience matters when your assignment involves keeping a 38-year-old quarterback upright.

And unlike most emergency replacements, Quessenberry isn’t walking into unfamiliar territory. Because of Jackson’s previous absences related to blood clot issues, McVay revealed that Quessenberry has regularly taken first-team practice repetitions alongside Stafford.

“He takes a bunch of snaps with our first offense all the time,” McVay said. “I do feel confident in him. He has a great look in his eye, and he’s a Ram through and through.”

Stafford shares that confidence in Quessenberry as well. 

“A lot of trust in DQ,” Stafford said, pointing to the veteran’s experience and the fact that he’s already proven himself in the league.

For Quessenberry, the opportunity is less intimidating than the uncertainty of being a reserve offensive lineman who must prepare for multiple positions every week.

“It’s kind of nice knowing, ‘Hey, on Sunday, we’re going to start the game and we’re rolling,’” Quessenberry said Thursday. “When you’re a swing guy preparing for both sides, there’s a lot of situations where you don’t know how it’s going to play out.”

This week, there’s no guessing. He’s the starting left tackle, and his assignment is keeping Arizona’s pass rush from wrecking Stafford’s afternoon.

“Protecting Nine [No. 9 Matthew Stafford] is at the top of everybody’s list, no matter what,” Quessenberry said. “No matter what the game, no matter who we’re playing, that’s always the No. 1 thing.”

The Cardinals have surrendered 142 points over their last four games, but that doesn’t mean Stafford’s protection can be taken for granted. The Rams are 2-3, coming off a devastating 37-34 loss to Buffalo, and can ill afford another afternoon of self-inflicted mistakes. Their offensive line has already struggled with costly pre-snap penalties, making discipline every bit as important as blocking.

Quessenberry understands the stakes, even if his demeanor suggests he’s been preparing for this opportunity his entire career.

“This is kind of what I’m here for,” he said. “Things like this happen, so I’m ready to go. This is what I’ve worked for.”

For years, Quessenberry has made his living being ready when somebody else couldn’t play. On Sunday, the forgotten veteran finally gets his turn, and if Rams fans barely notice him against Arizona, that might be the biggest compliment he could receive.

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