Terrance Ferguson injury update isn't as promising as Rams fans would like

The NFL can be a cruel profession. In Week 2 against the Giants, Los Angeles Rams tight end Terrance Ferguson had the best game of his career. Six days later, he sprained his ankle in the second quarter against the Broncos. Last week, the team placed him on injured reserve with what head coach Sean McVay called a medial ankle sprain.

Ferguson will miss at least the next four games, and Tuesday's update from McVay wasn't altogether reassuring. McVay said Ferguson's move to IR was due to "the significance" of the injury, and the "real timeline" of his anticipated recovery. 

It's still fairly early in Ferguson's rehab, but that doesn't sound like a player who will be ready to jump off IR when the four-game minimum is up. Ugh. This was supposed to be his breakout season, and it sure looked like he could be heading there. 

The good news? McVay isn't concerned about Ferguson returning by season's end. So, there's that.  

McVay doesn't sound confident Rams will get Ferguson back soon

Ferguson's injury didn't look good when it happened, or rather when he seemingly aggravated an existing ankle injury not once but twice in the game. 

On his first target, Ferguson stumbled, grimacing, at the end of his route. He briefly left the game for X-rays. The real damage was likely done on a nine-yard catch-and-run when he returned. He left for good after that. 

Despite concerning optics, Rams fans hoped for the best. Early in the week, it seemed like a good sign that Ferguson hadn't been placed on IR. The announcement came Friday. 

Ferguson would first be eligible to return in Week 8, but that doesn't seem promising based on McVay's comments. The decision to place Ferguson on IR and free up a roster spot was calculated on the odds of Ferguson missing "at least the next four games," McVay said.

Not at least the next few, leaving the team on the fence about an IR designation. At least four. Clear-cut and concrete. Realistically, Ferguson may not be back until the Week 11 bye or just before it.

And honestly, the Rams can't really afford that, not when Ferguson was far-and-away the lead candidate as a de facto third receiver behind Davante Adams and a banged-up Puka Nacua. Maybe Konata Mumpfield can take the next step. Tyler Higbee looks young and spry.

On the flip side, Colby Parkinson, last year's TE1, clearly isn't himself as he deals with knee and shoulder injuries. McVay has yet to involve rookie CJ Daniels at receiver or Max Klare at tight end. 

Ferguson was far from cementing his case for stardom, but he was extremely important for this receiver-lite, tight-end-centric version of the offense. The Rams will just have to make do and hope Nacua stays healthy. Fingers crossed. 

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