Rams' latest Week 5 injury update could shake up their entire offensive strategy

The Los Angeles Rams have been a bit locked in an offensive rut of late. Since a win in Week 1, the offense is content to throw to wide receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, while mixing runs to running back Kyren Williams and getting some relief from running back Blake Corum.

While it has been mostly successful, it has depended on all things staying the same.

Change is inevitable in the NFL, though, also known by the unofficial nickname, "not for long." And right on queue, the latest injury report for Week 5 arrives with new players unlikely to play in a vital Thursday Night Football showdown with NFC West rivals, the San Francisco 49ers.

The two players who are unlikely to suit up are right tackle Rob Havenstein (ankle) and tight end Tyler Higbee (hip). Both are aging veterans playing in the final year of their current contracts.

Los Angeles and San Francisco are intimately familiar with one another. As such, both teams know the other's strategy in and out. So, any time these bitter rivals face one another, they look for any excuse to change their formulae and adopt new tactics to gain an advantage.

With two key contributors not contributing in this one, Los Angeles may be forced to put new players onto the field in vital roles.

Rams could shake up entire offensive strategy in Week 5

Can head coach Sean McVay expect to take a familiar path to victory with two offensive players unable to play? Is this the time for the offense to field test inevitable successors to two aging veterans who may not be extended beyond this season?

The Rams invested in a successor for Higbee in the form of rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson. And the offense has been increasingly confident in the play of young offensive tackle Warren McClendon.

A Week 5 debut for both makes a lot of sense for both players.

For Ferguson, an increased role puts his talent to an immediate test. Sink or swim, his performance against the Niners defense gives the coaching staff an assessment of how well he may pan out. If he struggles, coaches know where to emphasize training. If he does well, coaches have a brand new weapon to unleash on future opponents.

Along the offensive line, the matter is a bit more complicated. McClendon is Los Angeles' current swing tackle, while veteran David Quessenberry is a right tackle who was signed specifically to cover Havenstein's anticipated injuries. LA may opt to start Quessenberry and save McClendon as the emergency offensive tackle in case of injuries during the game.

Either way, this team is not boring to watch.

LA faces critical personnel decisions for Week 5. Whatever the decisions may be will not only impact the outcome on Thursday night but could set the stage for the remainder of the season.

As always, thanks for reading.

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