Rams rule out Terrance Ferguson (ankle) for Week 4

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported last week that Ferguson’s return was still going to take “some time.” That doesn’t make it sound like he’s awfully close to getting back on the field. Tyler Higbee leads the Rams’ tight end room in routes since Ferguson went down, but his production has vanished over the past two weeks. Colby Parkinson scored in Week 6 and Davis Allen found the end zone twice last week. Higbee remains the best fantasy option of the bunch, but he’s nothing more than a low-end TE2 for Week 8.

Ferguson is eligible to come off injured reserve next week, but Schefter reports that a source told him Ferguson’s recovery “will take some time.” The Rams placed Davante Adams on injured reserve this week and are in desperate need of pass-catching help behind Puka Nacua. Ferguson is a rising receiving tight end for the Rams, but has been on injured reserve since suffering an ankle injury in Week 3. Though he is a good IR stash for fantasy purposes, Ferguson is going to take longer than the minimum four weeks to return. Without a good timeline for return, he can be released from fantasy rosters in dire need of more immediate help during bye weeks.

This escalated quickly. Ferguson briefly returned in Week 3 after getting X-rays on his injured ankle, but he was ultimately unable to continue. Ferguson can be kept on squads possessing an injured reserve spot, but dropping him for a needed starter makes sense. He will be eligible to return in Week 8 against the Chargers.

Coach Sean McVay said earlier this week that Ferguson was unlikely to play against the Eagles, and this certainly puts him on the “out” trajectory. The timing could not possibly be worse, as Ferguson was finally producing a little bit, and Puka Nacua (groin) is now set to return. That makes Ferguson a shaky hold in standard-sized 12-team leagues.

Ferguson briefly departed after injuring his ankle in the team’s Sunday Night Football loss to the Broncos, returning for two snaps prior to departing again after his lone reception of the evening. The ankle injury now appears likely to cost the talented young tight end at least one game, with the potential for the absence to linger if the sprain is “more high than low.” McVay also relayed that fellow tight end Colby Parkinson suffered an AC sprain and is considered day-to-day. Veteran Tyler Higbee would be in line to operate as the primary receiving tight end after amassing 62 yards and a touchdown on eight receptions in Week 3, should both miss. Higbee should be added in all formats as a potential TE1 in the immediate future.

Ferguson initially departed after being tangled up on a target in the first quarter. He was taken to the locker room for x-rays but returned after missing only one drive. He would then depart again following his lone reception and would not return the rest of the game. Ferguson caught 1-of-2 targets for nine yards prior to departing for good. His status for Week 4 would appear to be murky at this point.

Ferguson got tangled up on a target half way through the first quarter and limped to the sideline under his own power. He was then escorted to the locker room for x-rays. No additional update has been provided.

Parkinson did not practice once this week because of the knee issue, so it’s a bit of a surprise that McVay sounds optimistic about him suiting up today. The team may have kept him out of practice as a precaution. He will handle an inline tight end role while Terrance Ferguson handles de facto WR2 duties with Puka Nacua out. Ferguson remains in the TE1 mix while Parkinson is a touchdown-or-bust TE2.

Ferguson is set to handle No. 2 pass-catcher duties with WR Puka Nacua (hip) sidelined this week. The young tight end posted a 6/54/1 receiving line in Week 2 and can be viewed as a TE1 in this matchup.

Nacua will not practice today, either. The bad news comes straight from Rams coach Sean McVay. With Nacua sidelined, WR Davante Adams must be treated as a fantasy football WR1 and TE Terrance Ferguson can be expected to operate as the team’s No. 2 pass catcher. He is a worthwhile TE1 starter.