One way or another, Tavon Austin getting the ball

Rams Notes: One way or another, Tavon Austin getting the ball

RICH HAMMOND / STAFF WRITER

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/austin-731846-rams-yards.html

THOUSAND OAKS – In search of ways to get the ball in the hands into receiver Tavon Austin, the Rams have taken the direct approach: They’re handing it to him.

Austin, typically the Rams’ big-play passing threat, often has been stifled this season, but the Rams turned creative Sunday against Buffalo and twice lined up Austin in the backfield. He gained 17 yards on two carries, and later picked up nine yards on a fly sweep.

“You’ve just go to move him around,” Coach Jeff Fisher said after Tuesday’s practice at Cal Lutheran. “They know where he’s at. You watch defenses against us, and they’re pointing across the field (at Austin) to alert.”

There’s a fine line between incorporating a player such as Austin into the offense but not force-feeding him, and the Rams have tip-toed that line this season. Austin is tied for the team lead with 23 receptions (for 218 yards), but his average of 9.5 yards per reception ranks fourth among the Rams’ top four targets.

Opposing defenses have clamped down on Austin, and it started early. In the season opener against San Francisco, the Rams targeted Austin on 13 passes but he caught only four for 13 yards.

Two weeks ago at Arizona, the Rams won but Austin had only six targets and two receptions for 14 yards. So against the Bills, the Rams mixed up things.

Austin caught passes on three of the Rams’ first five plays, and on the seventh play, he shifted into the backfield, into a I formation behind fullback Cory Harkey, and rushed for eight yards. In the second quarter, Austin lined up as the Rams’ single man in the backfield and ran for eight yards.

Austin nearly got to the end zone on that run, but his dive for the corner pylon came up short, so Austin remains stuck on one (receiving) touchdown for the season, which he recorded at Tampa Bay.

“I love to be in that end zone,” Austin said. “I’m just struggling a little bit. I keep getting right there but I just haven’t busted through. It’s all good. The time will come eventually.”

Being in the backfield is nothing new for Austin, who was a running back throughout youth football and until his freshman year at West Virginia in 2009. Austin ran for more than 2,000 yards as a high school senior in Maryland.

“That’s something I’ve done my whole life,” Austin said. “That’s still my first position. It’s all about whatever the coaches need. Running back is still in my heart.”

MAKING MOVES

Starting cornerback Trumaine Johnson, who hurt his ankle Sunday, is considered “week to week,” Fisher said Tuesday, a few hours after the Rams claimed cornerback Dwayne Gratz off waivers from Jacksonville.

Gratz, a third-round pick in 2013, played in the Jaguars’ first three games this season but was inactive in their last game. Gratz has never started an NFL game but played 12 games last season on defense and on special teams. He played collegiately at Connecticut and is listed at 5-foot-11, 199 pounds.

Gratz gives the Rams a bit of depth at cornerback and makes up for the loss of Coty Sensabaugh, whom the Rams cut last week (Sensabaugh signed with the New York Giants on Tuesday). Besides Johnson, the Rams’ only cornerbacks are E.J. Gaines, Troy Hill, Lamarcus Joyner and Marqui Christian.

To make room for Gratz, the Rams put defensive lineman Morgan Fox on waivers. Fox made the Rams’ practice squad coming out of training camp and was promoted to the main roster last week.

The Rams do not issue an injury report on Tuesday, but Fisher previously said he hoped injured defensive linemen Michael Brockers, William Hayes and Robert Quinn could return to the practice field.