Rams tap third-string left tackle, bench Quinn Ojinnaka

Things are going to look a little different on the St. Louis Rams offensive line this week. Left tackle Wayne Hunter is out, dealing with an injured back. Left guard Quinn Ojinnaka is benched in favor of Shelley Smith. This is happening against a Packers defense headlined by Clay Matthews and his NFC-leading eight sacks.

Joe Barksdale, recently of the Oakland Raiders, will take Hunter's spot on the left side of the offensive line, protecting Sam Bradford's blind side.

Ojinnaka's benching has been mentioned as a possibility all week after he struggled against the Dolphins, allowing two hits and getting flagged twice. The only question about Smith is how well he can run block, because the Rams are going to have to lean heavily on the run in this game now that the team is dipping into the third string to fill out the offensive line.

Rodger Saffold and Scott Wells are both likely to return for Week 10, following the team's bye week. The only question is whether or not the Rams can get the same performance from their backup backups that they have been able to extract from the others against all odds on the offensive line this season.