Los Angeles Rams Need Pharoh Cooper Healthy Heading into Week 3

The Los Angeles Rams march into Week 3 of the 2016 season in hunt of their second win and first touchdown, but will need some help to right the ship on offense.

Much to the delight of many Los Angeles Rams fans, a number of the players on the team’s injury list have been practicing this week. Albeit all the players have been listed as being limited in practice, this news comes as a much-needed spark of hope when it comes to scoring an actual touchdown Week 3.

Among the names that have been practicing and stand a chance to return to the field of play include the two rookie receivers, Nelson Spruce and Pharoh Cooper. While Spruce has been dealing with a knee injury, Cooper has been out with a shoulder injury since the Rams’ preseason loss to the Denver Broncos on August 27.

The Rams have struggled mightily to move the ball, and thus created a one-dimensional offense that seems to have effectively shut down the running game, even with Pro-Bowler Todd Gurley in the backfield. A lot of that has to do with the sheer ineptitude with the play calling, but most of it has to do with the talent at the receiver position.

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Brian Quick has been a flat-out disappointment and seems as if he is only still on this Rams team out of pure necessity due to the injuries at the position. Kenny Britt is a decent, reliable, veteran, but nothing much more than that, and would likely be a fine No. 3 wideout on most other teams.

The problem at the moment for the Rams is Britt’s the No. 1 wideout. Tavon Austin continues to be used as a short-yardage receiver and one wonders if it’s perhaps because they question his ability to hold on to the ball in long-yardage situations.

Cooper can be just what the team needs to spice things up and add another element to the Rams arsenal while giving Case Keenum another target in the passing game. Although only coming in at 5’11” and weighing in at 203 pounds, Cooper has a 4.63 forty yard dash.

The most important thing is that he reaches his top speeds almost as soon at the ball is snapped, meaning that he can get down field and fast. This will finally give Keenum a target for long yardage that is basically bred for this type of assignment.

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Adding this type of element to the offense will finally present a threat of being able to get behind some corner backs and clear up some space for Gurley to eat up some yards, ideally of course. Variety is the spice of life, and this type of receiver might just give the Rams the kind of different look to grind out a win on the road.