Tavon Austin Injury: Updates on Rams Star's Knee and Return

Updates from Sunday, Oct. 5

Myles Simmons of StLouisRams.com confirms Tavon Austin is active for Week 5:

Updates from Friday, Oct. 3

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has an update on Austin:

Updates from Wednesday, Oct.1

Tavon Austin's status for Wednesday's practice has been confirmed by Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

Updates from Sunday, Sept. 21

Myles Simmons of StLouisRams.com reported on Tavon Austin's status for Week 3:

Updates from Friday, Sept. 19

ESPN's Nick Wagoner has the latest on Austin's status:

Updates from Monday, Sept. 15

Jeff Fisher updated Tavon Austin's status on Monday (via the Rams):

Earlier, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported on Austin's knee injury and how long it will keep him on the sidelines:

Original Text

Already dealing with a season-ending injury to quarterback Sam Bradford, the St. Louis Rams are now forced to overcome the absence of 2013 first-round pick Tavon Austin. The second-year wideout left Week 2's matchup vs. Tampa Bay with a knee injury.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that Austin is questionable to return:  

Austin was later ruled out of the game (via Myles A. Simmons of StLouisRams.com):

After the team's 19-17 win, Thomas provided an update: 

Not having Austin on the field isn't entirely new to the Rams. He missed three games last year with an ankle injury.

The 23-year-old did have a decent debut season in St. Louis last year, especially when you consider that he played with a backup quarterback after Bradford went down after seven games. He had 40 receptions for 418 yards and four touchdowns. 

Despite facing questions about his size coming into the 2013 draft—Austin is listed at 5'8" and 176 pounds—the Rams felt confident enough in his speed in the slot and ability to play special teams to make him the eighth overall pick. 

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

Even though Austin wasn't a superstar right out of the gate last year, he did have moments of brilliance as the season came to a close. His best game was against Indianapolis in Week 10 with 138 receiving yards, 145 punt return yards and three total touchdowns. 

That's not a coincidence, at least according to Austin. He told Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that his comfort level in the offense grew the more he was able to play:

"

It definitely was hard in the beginning last year. Toward the middle and the end (of the season) I probably started picking up on it. That’s when I started having some big games. But for the most part, it’s all about the mental game, getting comfortable. I believe I’m comfortable now.

"

The Rams were already limited on offense. Even if Bradford hadn't gotten hurt, the receiving corps with or without Austin is lacking. They didn't have one wide receiver with more than 600 receiving yards in 2013. Jared Cook is an excellent tight end, but they don't have a proven home run threat on the outside. 

There was at least optimism, though, with Austin, Brian Quick and Kenny Britt.

Even last year's breakout running back Zac Stacy, who had 973 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, struggled to make plays consistently and only averaged 3.9 yards per carry because of a porous offensive line. Head coach Jeff Fisher drafted Greg Robinson to shore up the trenches. 

Austin has the potential to be a Wes Welker-type in the NFL. His speed is electrifying, as we saw at times as a rookie and with a 4.34 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. The hope was he and Bradford would become one of the best quarterback-receiver duos in football. 

Instead, with Bradford done this season and now Austin's injury, St. Louis fans will spend a lot of time looking at the sidelines and wondering what might have been for the Rams. 

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