Parkinson (knee/shoulder) questionable for Week 4

Parkinson managed to draw a questionable tag entering the weekend after logging a limited practice on Friday. Despite being a DNP for two of the Rams’ three practices this week, he should be available to play his normal role in the Rams’ TE-heavy scheme. Parkinson has caught 14 passes for 103 yards and one touchdown this season and will not be on the fantasy radar this week. The Rams declared QB Ty Simpson, LS Joe Cardona, LB Darryl Peterson III, OL Bill Murray, OL Keagan Trost, and LB Desjuan Johnson inactive for Week 9.

Parkinson sat out on Wednesday and Thursday. His Friday participation level has not yet been released, but he is probably on the wrong side of questionable at this time. Parkinson does not need to be rostered in 12-team leagues, especially with Terrance Ferguson (ankle) expected to play.

Rams head coach Sean McVay announced Parkinson would be a DNP on Wednesday. The 27-year-old has been dealing with a rib injury since Week 7, missing the Rams’ Week 8 game against the Chargers. Starting out DNP puts him on the wrong side of questionable for Week 9 against the Commanders.

Parkinson will miss at least one game with a rib injury he sustained last week against the Raiders. His absence could have a big impact on playing time for both Davis Allen — who had two touchdown grabs last week — and Tyler Higbee, the de facto TE1 in the LA offense. Both tight ends are better options against the Chargers with Parkinson sidelined.

Parkinson gutted out an injury to his midsection against the Raiders a week ago when he was in and out of the lineup while clearly dealing with significant discomfort. He was unable to practice through Thursday this week, prompting the questionable designation ahead of a Week 8 meeting with the Chargers. Already down multiple primary pass catchers, the Rams could see further concentration of volume should Parkinson miss, a situation that could also pave the way for Davis Allen to see an uptick in opportunities in the 12- and 13-personnel-heavy Rams offense. Fantasy managers likely won’t get further updates on Parkinson’s status before the team releases inactives 90-minutes prior to first kick.

Parkinson will have one more chance to get back no the practice field Friday to avoid an injury designation entering the weekend. The veteran tight end was in and out of the team’s Week 7 game with the injury but managed to finish it, apparently feeling much worse after the adrenaline wore off. Fantasy managers of Parkinson and Tyler Higbee will want to track Parkinson’s status closely to end the week. An absence from Parkinson could also bring Davis Allen into the fantasy spotlight after the young tight end scored twice against the Raiders.

Parkinson has meaningfully contributed to the Rams’ offense in each of the last two weeks, but he is now at risk of missing his team’s Week 8 game against the Chargers. Were Parkinson to sit out on Sunday, Tyler Higbee would likely benefit.

Parkinson was in and out of the game with various injuries, picking up a new ailment on seemingly every reception. Parkinson logged 16 pass routes while Tyler Higbee led the team’s tight ends with 18 routes. Davis Allen, meanwhile, ran a route on 12 of the Rams’ drop backs and caught two touchdowns from Matthew Stafford. Parkinson should be a viable desperation option in deeper formats next week against the Chargers if the Rams keep using three tight end sets at a high rate. He has ten receptions over his past two outings.

Parkinson played effectively against the Cardinals’ zone coverage this afternoon. He bagged a first down after finding a soft spot downfield on the Rams’ fourth drive, and deftly hurdled a defender on a one-yard gain a few plays later. His touchdown occurred on the Rams’ final possession and required post-catch effort, barreling through contact and extending for the score. Parkinson is a touchdown-dependent TE2 against the Raiders in Week 7.

He got in a limited session and the Rams apparently trust him to play despite a pair of missed practices on Wednesday and Thursday. Colby Parkinson (shoulder) also avoided the final report. Tyler Higbee is the Rams tight end you should be using at this point.