Latest Rams' injury update is great news for the passing attack

When it comes to the Los Angeles Rams offense, the team has fallen into the predictable habit of running almost all of the offense through a few veteran weapons. The challenge is, what happens if the team must reroute all that offensive activity? So far, the team has targeted wide receivers on nearly 79 percent of its forward passes, a rate that has not been seen in the NFL for 25 years.

The reason for this is both logical and self-serving. On one hand, teams do not like to fall into predictable patterns that aid opponents in game planning against them. On the other hand, forcing a couple of players to do all of the heavy lifting burns through the best players far too quickly in the season. Neither outcome is ideal.

The challenges of a nagging hamstring injury have hampered veteran wide receiver Davante Adams' participation in practice this week. Adams is just one player fighting through injuries to suit up for Week 3. The team has also been dealing with ankle injuries to both left guard Steve Avila and right tackle Rob Havenstein.

Thankfully, Adams is expected to play in Week 4. And despite questionable status for Avila, Havenstein, tight ends Tyler Higbee and Colby Parkinson, all are expected to play against the Indianapolis Colts.

Latest injury update news great news for Rams Week 4 passing game

The team gets great news purely from the fact that their seasoned free-agent addition is suiting up for this one. While his catch rate at just 44 percent is not as high as hoped, he has contributed 213 receiving yards and two touchdowns in three games. The scary part about this offense is trying to decipher which of the underused receivers would be called upon to step up.

The wily veteran receiver has been in the NFL for 12 seasons. As such, he understands that this offense depends on him. The team depends on him right now, and he is not the type of competitor to take that responsibility and trust lightly:

But perhaps more importantly, the team's anticipation of Steve Avila's return may be the more significant. With the TCU offensive lineman back at left guard, the offensive line will be back to its starting five. Not only will that help the team's continuity, but the pass blocking should be markedly improved.

That could mean that Stafford will test out his deep passing, and that could mean a much larger role for wide receiver Tutu Atwell in Week 4. Despite returning on a one-year deal for $10 million, Atwell has been silent. So far this season, he has caught one of three passes for four yards. Unlike rookies who have yet to touch the football, the speedy receiver is experienced and trustworthy.

The Horns are on an upset watch list for Week 4. While that may prove to be the outcome, the team has just as many reasons to have a solid game. While the secondary is still lacking starting cornerback Ahkello Smith, the team learned that it can stand toe-to-toe with the defending Super Bowl Champions in their home field advantage. Now, let's see how well they can compete against another undefeated foe. As always, thanks for reading.

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