How quickly can 3 injured Rams recover in time for Week 15 clash on TNF?

Infirmary Room II: Demarcus Robinson

While veteran wide receiver Demarcus Robinson has not been as effective in 2024 as a year ago in terms of his catching percentage, he has compensated for that fact by becoming the most proficient scorer in the Rams receiver room. Admittedly, he was not at the top of his game in the first meeting with the 49ers. While playing the most offensive snaps, he was only able to haul in one of four passes thrown his way, but that completion was good for 32 yards.

Still, Robinson was robbed two ways in the Rams Week 14 upset win over Buffalo Bills. He was flagged for a phantom pass interference call, which negated a tremendous 52-yards reception. But adding insult to injury, he came down hard on his right shoulder, resulting in an AC sprain.

Without a medical chart, it's impossible to correctly anticipate Demarcus Robinson's timetable. If a less severe (Type I) AC, or acromioclavicular joint injury, normal activity can often resume between three days and two weeks. Depending on Robinson's current range of motion, his time to heal can be less or more.

Plan B

The Rams offense had to face the San Francisco 49ers without the benefit of either Cooper Kupp or Puka Nacua, and both are expected to start in Week 15. So the pressure to have a replacement wide receiver at optimal performance this week is under less pressure. In the first clash between the Rams and the 49ers, WR Tutu Atwell excelled, catching four of five passes for 93 yards. That included one reception for 50 yards.

Keep in mind that the Rams played TE Colby Parkinson on all offensive snaps, and sent in TE Hunter Long for nearly half of the offensive snaps. That heavy use of 12-personnel package not only threw a monkey wrench into the 49ers defensive plans in terms of forcing them to defend the run, but it dictated the defensive personnel to allow the Rams to create mismatches that favored Tutu Atwell the entire game.

Since the Rams are almost certain not to load the offense up with two tight ends, this game could be an ideal occasion to knock some rust off rookie WR Jordan Whittington. Whittington caught all three passes thrown his way in Week 3, and has disappeared from the offense after the team's Week 6 BYE. He is an ideal spare to bolt onto the offense for this game. He is big, strong, physical, and accomplished.

I like Whittington to not only see significant playing time in Week 15, but to be woven in as a significant contributor for the Rams offense this week.