Quarterback Matthew Stafford, the Rams’ most valuable and most important player, will have a new blindside protector when the reigning NFL MVP faces the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.

With left tackle Alaric Jackson suspended by the NFL for two games for punching an opposing player after the Rams’ 37-34 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Monday night, coach Sean McVay said Tuesday that veteran David Quessenberry would take Jackson’s spot.

Quessenberry, 36, is a ninth-year pro in his second season with the Rams. He has not started a game since 2023 when he started four times for the Minnesota Vikings.

McVay said the Rams also would open the 21-day window for rookie tackle Keagen Trost to return from injured reserve.

After the Rams play the Cardinals, they play the Las Vegas Raiders, who feature defensive end Maxx Crosby among others.

Quessenberry won’t be the only new starter on Sunday.

The Rams on Tuesday released kicker Harrison Mevis and signed Blake Grupe from the New York Jets’ practice squad.

Mevis missed a 50-yard field-goal attempt in the first half against the Bills, and his potential game-winning 48-yard attempt in overtime was blocked. The Bills took possession and kicked a field goal to win, dropping the Rams’ record to 2-3.

Last year, after replacing Joshua Karty at midseason, Mevis made 18 of 19 field-goal attempts in nine regular-season games and the playoffs. But he made only five of nine this season.

“He was a rock for us last year when we obviously struggled in that area,” McVay said during a video conference with reporters, “but ultimately we need better production, and that’s what we’re hoping to get … from Blake.”

Last year, Grupe made 18 of 26 field-goal attempts for the New Orleans Saints and all 11 of his attempts for the Indianapolis Colts.

“We felt like he was the best guy available that had had real-game experience,” McVay said.

McVay said the Rams debated whether to create a competition, as they did last year between Karty and Mevis, but ultimately decided not to.

There is no debate about the state of the Rams’ struggling special teams under first-year coordinator Bubba Ventrone. Along with the kicking issues, the Rams gave up a 70-yard kickoff return against the Bills.

“We need more consistent improvement, and that starts with me doing a better job,” McVay said, adding, “I have a lot of confidence in Bubba Ventrone. There’s no changes that are going to be made there. And we’re going to keep working.”

Though special teams have been an issue, the Rams’ offensive line generally has performed well — though presnap penalties have plagued the offense.

The Rams have given up only seven sacks, fifth fewest in the NFL.

(Gregory Bull / AP)

Now the line will be without Jackson.

When Jackson struck Bills linebacker Bradley Chubb in the face on the field after the game, he violated Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, which applies to “any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship,” the NFL said in the release announcing the suspension.

Jackson can appeal the suspension.

This is the second time Jackson has been suspended. In 2024, he sat out the first two games for an unspecified violation of the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Jackson had been named the defendant in a lawsuit filed by a woman, who alleged he recorded her without her consent during sex, that he refused to delete the video and that he taunted her with it. The civil suit was dismissed.

Jackson also was under scrutiny before this season after he was arrested on suspicion of felony domestic violence involving an incident in West Hills. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office and the city attorney declined to file formal criminal charges.

Do the Rams have a benchmark for how much tolerance they have for repeated incidents that distract from the team and cost them games without their left tackle?

“Very important to represent the things that we want to be about,” McVay said, “and he’s got to consistently do a better job, and I think each situation is its own separate entity …

“But it certainly doesn’t help us when we’re missing a player of his caliber, and he’s got to make more consistent decisions that are in alignment with being available and representing the things that we want to be about.”