LOS ANGELES — Tight end Davis Allen was lying on the floor of the Rams’ training room during the second week of the season when his back first started to seize up with spasms. A fortunate location for an unfortunate situation. Allen missed three games due to that injury, then slowly had to play his way into shape even as he still stiffly walked around the Rams’ locker room. But over the past four weeks, Allen has seen his snap count steadily increase from 12 in Week 7 to 27 to 42 to 56 in Week 10, in which he earned his first start of the season. “He is earning it out there on the practice field,” Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said. “He was a little banged up in training camp, so as his practice has gone up, his reps in the game have gone up.” For anyone to earn playing time within the Rams’ offense, it starts with run blocking. As a senior at Clemson, Allen served as a run blocker on a slight majority of his snaps. As a rookie with the Rams, he steadily improved in that area as the season went on. But coming back from the back spasms, Allen needed some time to allow his back to catch up with the physical demands of a tight end’s job. “I got an old-man back,” Allen joked. “It took some time obviously, because if I get out the bed wrong way, I gotta watch that now. It took a while to feel comfortable engaging and really straining.” Allen has spent extra time watching film of teammate Tyler Higbee to get a feel for how he engages his blocks. But given tight end coach Nick Caley’s connection to this week’s opponent, the New England Patriots, Allen has also studied Rob Gronkowski cutups and tape of fellow Clemson alum Dwayne Allen, who affectionately calls Davis Allen “Little D.A.” “I’ve been trying to do extra after from a run-blocking standpoint or whatever it might, watching more film,” Allen said. “[Gronkowski’s and Dwayne Allen’s] technique, how they shoot their hands, how quick their feet are. But they were both really physical at the same time. And I think that’s what I’m trying to also apply, is, how physical can I be within my framework while trying to use the proper technique?” NOTES Right tackle Rob Havenstein (ankle) was ruled out by McVay for Sunday’s game against the Patriots, as were CB Charles Woods (ankle) and DT Neville Gallimore (shoulder). Offensive lineman Joe Noteboom (ankle) will be doubtful for Sunday, McVay said, making Warren McClendon Jr. the likely starter at right tackle. Related Articles Los Angeles Rams | Rams QB Stetson Bennett IV continues to work despite limited opportunities Los Angeles Rams | What’s wrong with the Rams’ red-zone offense? Los Angeles Rams | Rams facing tough decisions on offensive line Los Angeles Rams | Swanson: What a Monday night mess for the Rams’ offense Los Angeles Rams | Rams’ offense falls flat in loss to Dolphins McVay declined to name a starting center, saying the Rams have made a choice but don’t want to tip off the Patriots to the decision. Veteran Jonah Jackson started for the Rams last week, while rookie Beaux Limmer started the previous six games while Jackson was on injured reserve. Higbee is expected to be able to start practicing in “a couple of weeks,” McVay said. The veteran tight end has missed all nine games this season after surgery to repair a torn ACL suffered in January. Safety John Johnson III (shoulder) and linebacker Troy Reeder (hamstring) are considered “week to week” as they work to come off injured reserve.