Austin Pettis Waived by St. Louis Rams: Latest Details, Reaction and Analysis

Updates from Tuesday, Oct. 21 

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch provides an update on Austin Pettis' NFL status:

Original Text: 

The St. Louis Rams waived wide receiver Austin Pettis on Monday after the fourth-year pro registered just 12 receptions in five games this season. The team announced the decision on Twitter Monday:

ESPN's Adam Caplan first reported on the development:

Mike Garofolo of Fox Sports explained why the Rams cut Pettis:

Pettis had spent his entire career in St. Louis as a third-round pick from the 2011 NFL draft out of Boise State. However, the move to let Pettis go isn't a tremendous surprise.

Following a 34-28 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 5, Pettis expressed disappointment in critical drops he had down the stretch.

"It's the end of the game, there’s going to be a lot of contested balls, and there's no excuses on any of them," said Pettis, via ESPN.com's Nick Wagoner. "I had the ball in my hands long enough to get the catch. I've just got to hold on to it."

Sigmund Bloom of FootballGuys.com weighed in on the Rams parting ways with Pettis:

The Rams have invested heavily at wide receiver in recent drafts, acquiring Brian Quick with an early second-round choice in 2012 and speedster Chris Givens with a mid-round pick that same year. Former West Virginia stars Tavon Austin (first round) and Stedman Bailey (third round) were drafted last year, too.

Austin's arrival eliminated the need to deploy Pettis as a punt returner, which he did at times in his first two seasons. The free-agent signings of athletic tight end Jared Cook and talented Kenny Britt have also decreased Pettis' role in the passing game, which has lacked potency ever since Pettis joined the team.

It took a while for Quick to piece things together, but he is now St. Louis' leading receiver—another factor that likely led to the decision to waive Pettis.

The offense figures to focus on the running game with the Week 7 emergence of Tre Mason and play-caller Brian Schottenheimer's traditional penchant for a ground-and-pound attack.

Pettis' size (6'3", 203 pounds) and traditionally reliable hands ought to garner him looks from other clubs thin at wide receiver. It appears the Rams are eager to get a better look at their younger skill players in light of Monday's transaction.