Chris

Givens

This Givens is not related to the Rams’ fourth-round pick. The undrafted rookie out of Miami of Ohio had impressed in spring workouts, so the undisclosed injury could be serious. A practice squad ticket appeared to be in the cards. Parks is back as a camp body while LCB Jabari Greer recovers from sports hernia surgery.

Beat writer Jim Thomas expected Brian Quick, Chris Givens, and Danny Amendola to be the top three receivers this year, but Smith is making a run up the depth chart along with Greg Salas, who also had a strong spring. Danario Alexander can’t be ruled out, either, after showing playmaking ability this week. Training camp and exhibition action will solidify the pecking order in St. Louis.

At 6'2" and 211 pounds, the former Miami of Ohio star has impressed in offseason practices, specifically in the red zone. Mainly a possession receiver in college, Givens must first pass Joe Morgan and impressive fourth-rounder Nick Toon before making a run at Arrington and Henderson.

Brandon Gibson will enter the season as the third receiver behind starters Steve Smith and Danny Amendola. Smith was Bradford’s preseason target leader. Coordinator Brian Schottenheimer has never made liberal use of three- and four-wide sets, so Quick and Givens could be inactive early in the season.

Tavon Austin is locked into the slot and Jared Cook will be shifted all over the formation as a “move” tight end. Austin Pettis, Stedman Bailey and Lance Kendricks will be talented reserves. “We’re going to lobby with the league to see if we can play with more than one ball,” coach Jeff Fisher joked. Although Quick is likely to start, his Dynasty arrow is pointing down. The Rams acquired some serious pass-catching talent this offseason.

We suspect Jared Cook will see more targets as well. Austin has the electrifying moves and speed in the open field, but he’s concentrating on returns and short passes out of the slot right now. The No. 8 overall pick is a prime candidate to be overdrafted in fantasy circles thanks to his real-life draft status. Austin is unlikely to be a red-zone factor at 5'8/174.

The NFL’s second best Chris Givens, Givens spent 2013 on injured reserve, and has never appeared in a regular-season game. Now 25, the odds are growing slimmer he ever will.

Givens, of no relation to the Rams’ receiver, missed the entire 2012 season with an undisclosed injury after impressing in last year’s spring workouts. He’ll spend another year on injured reserve. The former Miami Redhawk is a possession receiver at 6-foot-2, 211. The Saints also cut K Jose Maltos.