Final LA Rams injury report for Week 4 gives hope for offensive weapon's return

Bears Injuries

While the Chicago Bears are just 1-2, you cannot attribute their struggles to injuries. They are a young team trying to build around franchise rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. But as we know, those struggles seem to get solved pretty quickly when quarterbacks face the Rams secondary.

• TE Stephen Carlson - Collarbone- Out
• DT Zacch Pickens - Groin - Out
• WR Keenan Allen - Heel - Questionable
• CB Terrell Smith - Hip - Out
• DT Andrew Billings - Knee - Questionable
• FS Keven Byard - Back - Questionable

Bears Reserve Injured (IR)

• RB Travis Homer
• OL Ryan Bates
• WR Dante Pettis
• LS Patrick Scales
• WR Nsimba Webster
• RB Ian Wheeler
• IR/ Designated to return OL Larry Borom
• IR/ Designated to return DL Jacob Martin

The Bears, while appearing to be banged up, are in excellent health compared to many teams right now. The only significant player out in Week 4 per the injury report is rotational defensive tackle Zacch Pickens. And veteran WR Keenan Allen, a dangerous offensive weapon, is likely to play in Week 4.

It seems as though every wide receiver wants to gash the Rams secondary.

Does Davis Allen make sense to play in Week 4?

While the Rams seemed to hit on a solid tandem of tight end Colby Parkinson serving as a pass catcher and Hunter Long handling a blocking tight end role, there are reasons why the Rams may want to use second-year TE Davis Allen in Week 4.

In Week 7 of the 2020 NFL season, the Rams targetted then blocking tight end Johnny Mundt three times. He caught all three passes, putting up 48 receiving yards and the team coasted to a 24-10 win It was one of the best games for Johnny Mundt in a Rams uniform.

With success against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 3 with two tight ends, the offense would love to double down in Week 4 with a similar pattern. But as soon as a team is able to find something that works, future defensive opponents are already working on ways to shut it down. So the Rams have to add a new wrinkle.

That wrinkle should be getting TE Davis Allen targeted in Week 4.

This team has a chance to claw its way back to a .500 record. Injured or not, the team has to work with what and who they have available. To win in Week 4, the team will need to get a lot of production out of players who haven't had the benefit of playing a lot of snaps.

But now is as good of a time as any to change that.

Thanks for reading.