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| Danny Amendola is still the Rams' No. 1 wide receiver option but they got deeper Tuesday with the return of Austin Pettis. (AP Images) |
The surprisingly productive Rams offense got a boost Tuesday with the return of second-year WR Austin Pettis.
Pettis served a four-game PED suspension that started Week 15 of last season and ended Sunday. To make room on the roster, St. Louis put rookie G Rokevious Watkins on IR with an ankle injury.
It’s unclear how the Rams will use Pettis, but he was the most impressive wideout in training camp.
Danny Amendola has established himself as the Rams’ No. 1 option. He leads the NFL with 20 catches and ranks third with 237 receiving yards. Brandon Gibson has caught two touchdowns, including a 34-yarder in the 31-28 win over Washington. Veteran Steve Smith has four catches.
Rookies Brian Quick and Chris Givens have yet to make a catch, although Givens got open deep in the opener and Sam Bradford underthrew him.
Pettis (6-foot-3, 207 pounds) uses his size to shield defenders. He had six catches for 63 yards and two scores in the preseason, following a 27-catche rookie season.
O-line shuffle: The offensive line that finished Sunday’s game looked nothing like the one Rams brass projected at the start of camp.
Scott Wells was supposed to be the center, but he’s out with a broken foot. Jason Smith was set to play right tackle but lost his job to Barry Richardson, then got traded. LT Rodger Saffold sprained his MCL during the game and will miss at least four weeks.
For now, from left to right, the Rams are going with Wayne Hunter, Quinn Ojinnaka, Robert Turner, Harvey Dahl and Richardson.
Despite the makeshift line, the Rams had 452 yards in beating Washington. Bradford threw for 310 yards and three touchdowns and was sacked twice.
Get more Rams updates and analysis from Larry Hartstein @CBSSportsNFLSTL.
