Davis

Allen

The Rams have created an incredible situation where none of their tight ends are actually fantasy-reliable, but all of them are threats to score off play-action in jumbo packages. Parkinson (39 snaps), Tyler Higbee (3/33, 36 snaps), Davis Allen (2/8/1, 35 snaps) and Terrance Ferguson (1/32, 22 snaps) are all potential TE2 plays right now given the situation. It’s impossible to figure out which of them will blow up every week given the playing time split.

Although the Rams secured the win, Allen had a rough day. The young tight end scored on a play-action catch-and-run sequence on the Rams’ fifth drive, but the touchdown was called back after referees viewed the replay, which clearly showed Allen stiff-arming his way down the field by pushing his would-be tackler’s facemask back and forth as the two strode together through the red zone. Rams K Joshua Klarty missed the ensuing field goal attempt wide right by a significant margin. Allen later helped fellow TE Tyler Higbee score a touchdown from one yard out by catching the defense’s attention going in motion pre-snap. Rams TE Colby Parkinson caught 2-of-2 targets for 10 yards as well.

Allen locked down TE2 duties in LA this week with Colby Parkinson sidelined. He looked frisky on his only catch of the day, diving into the pylon for a touchdown once officials checked the replay. He played behind Tyler Higbee, as expected, but saw the field enough to keep Higbee off the fantasy radar for Week 3.

Parkinson suffered a sprained AC joint in the Rams’ Week 1 win against the Texans and starts out the week not practicing. Fellow tight end Davis Allen (knee) was limited on Wednesday. With both tight ends banged up, rookie second-rounder Terrance Ferguson may see an increase in opportunities.

His red zone play-action catch was the only receiving score for the Rams against a tough Texans defense. Tyler Higbee handily outsnapped Allen 35 to 22, but Higbee was held without a target. There’s probably not enough oxygen here for any non-Puka/Adams receiver to flourish in fantasy football.

Allen saw additional run in the offense after Tyler Higbee left after the team’s second possession. Higbee would be immediately deemed doubtful to return with a chest injury before being ruled out for the remainder of the game at halftime, something that could provide more run for both Colby Parkinson and Davis Allen in the Divisional Round against the Eagles.

Kupp’s absence was expected, given his projected multi-week recovery timeline. The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue notes “Jimmy [Garoppolo] back in the backup spot at QB after his two-game suspension.” The Rams are exceptionally short-staffed with Puka Nacua also on injured reserve. They will likely try to eke out a win through a run-heavy offensive attack.

The Rams’ short-staffed pass-catching corps will be without its No. 2 tight end as well. Allen was unable to practice all week though, so this is hardly a surprise. While he is firmly entrenched behind starter Colby Parkinson, a Week 4 return would at least provide Matthew Stafford with a capable rotational player.

Durant suffered an apparent toe injury in the Rams’ Week 1 loss to the Lions, but played with a decreased workload for Week 2. He starts out the week not practicing, adding to the Rams’ injury woes. With Durant’s Week 3 also in jeopardy, the 49ers offense will have a plus matchup against a weakened Rams secondary. K Joshua Karty (groin) and TE Davis Allen (back) also did not participate, all sitting out practice with WR Cooper Kupp (ankle). The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue mentions CB Ahkello Witherspoon as an elevation candidate heading into Week 3.

The team’s offensive line is depleted after placing Steve Avila and Joe Noteboom on injured reserve, while Puka Nacua was placed there as well. Allen is one of the key injuries listed on the inactives list, missing Week 2 with a back injury and leaving Colby Parkinson the definitive tight end target for the Rams.