Rams rookie’s delayed debut comes with brutal challenge in preseason finale

The Los Angeles Rams did not have that many needs to fill with fresh young talent in the 2025 NFL Draft. But unsuccessful attempts to select an elite tight end to add to the team compelled the front office to try once more. And with the 46th overall pick, the team added Oregon rookie TE Terrance Ferguson.

Unfortunately, an injury has significantly limited Ferguson's training camp and preseason reps. That creates a problem for the team in several ways. The first and most obvious challenge created is simply that the team invested in a new offensive weapon to contribute this season, but his training has fallen behind so far that it places his potential to contribute in 2025 at risk. So, the team is fast-tracking Ferguson's reps by playing him in preseason Game 3.

While many participants in Game 3 will consist of those players who will be released within hours of the game's conclusion, the rookie tight end's participation is an altogether different matter. Much like veteran Tyler Higbee played in Week 18 of the 2024 season while his teammates sat out, the 22-year-old needs the work, pure and simple.

What should Rams fans expect from Terrance Ferguson in Game 3?

As much as the rookie would love to have a great game to close out the preseason, it's likely not in the cards. The team will be sending players to compete in the final preseason game who are almost certainly not going to make the team. That means Ferguson will be catching passes from former UFL quarterback Dresser Winn.

In 2024, Winn completed nine of 16 passes for just 72 yards. That worked out to 4.5 yards per attempt, 8.0 yards per completion, and a completion rate of just 56.3 percent. Those are hardly the type of numbers that scream robust passing attack.

The situation is further complicated by the fact that, as the Rams sit players who have made the team, its opponent, the Cleveland Browns, plan to use Game 3 to give starters one last chance at warming up before the 2025 season. That means the former Oregon Duck will be catching passes from a fourth-string quarterback, while facing the Browns' starting secondary.

Few NFL elite tight ends could succeed in that scenario.

But success is how you define it. If you expect 100-plus receiving yards and 2-plus touchdowns on the day, disappointment will follow. But what happens if you ratchet down those expectations to one or two receptions that move the chains? What happens if goals for Game 3 include blocking well? Or simply emerging from the game without injury?

The team's goals for the player are not rooted in production statistics. He is not teaming up with one of the best quarterbacks on the roster. This is about familiarizing the young player with the speed and physicality of the NFL. And facing starters on the Browns defense will expose him to that level of play.

Terrance Ferguson may defy all odds and put up very impressive numbers... he's talented enough. But the likeliest of scenarios is that he plays, the Rams get spanked, and the team forms its active roster and practice squad. For many fans, the thrill is seeing the rookie sensation for the first time on a football field. For now, that will need to be enough. As always, thanks for reading.

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