With his offseason work scuttled by a wrist injury and his training camp and preseason scrapped due to a hamstring problem, Rams receiver Tavon Austin is moving closer to finally making his return to action.

“We’re not going to play him against Green Bay,” coach Sean McVay told reporters on Sunday regarding Austin. “If it was a normal game week, I think he would be able to play. He’s made huge progress . . . over the last week where he’s running, reaching some higher speeds on the treadmill and stuff where it’s 100 percent of the weight that he’s supporting. So those have been some good things and you’ll start to figure out – we’re going to have to start brainstorming some ways with how we’re going to utilize Tavon in that [Week 1] game, which will be fun.”

Related players: Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp

McVay wouldn't say how Austin would be used. But as the story pointed out, he could see a lot less attention because of the other WRs, which could actually increase his production. Still, he's not a highly sought after fantasy player at this point, as he's only ranked 90th on our WR list.

When third down presented itself Saturday and quarterback Jared Goff needed to keep the sticks moving, he went to Cooper Kupp -- four times in eight third-down situations.

Kupp, a third-round pick after a record-setting career at Eastern Washington, has already solidified a role as the Los Angeles Rams' slot receiver. Now he has become a security blanket for the Rams' second-year quarterback.

In two preseason games, Kupp has hauled in eight of his 10 targets for 105 yards and a touchdown. Rookie WRs don't always tend to make a major fantasy impact, but story added Kupp is the one who seems poised to lead the Rams in catches this year, because he's so sure-handed and because he has such a knack for getting open.

"Just being in LA can help me out," new Rams wide receiver Sammy Watkins said, speaking to reporters for the first time in Los Angeles after getting traded from Buffalo. "Nice city. Nice weather. And just to be in this city with the players, just trying to chase a goal and win a championship and go to the playoffs. It's a blessing to be here, to be on real grass eight or nine games out of the year."

Watkins' occasionally injured legs will benefit from the Coliseum grass, and the Rams intend to benefit greatly from Watkins' speed and skill. He is expected to provide the deep threat that was among many things lacking for Los Angeles last season, when the Rams had the NFL's worst offense for the second straight year.

Related Players: Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, Tavon Austin

Watkins' home games may be on grass now, and theoretically, that could give his lower body a better chance of staying healthy (I suppose); however, we see his move to L.A. as a big downgrade in offense and quarterbacks. Watkins was among our top-15 receivers before the trade. It will be a battle now, we project, for him to be a WR2 this season. Artificial versus natural surface aside, Watkins still has also missed 11 games in the last two years. Watkins is fantastic...when he plays. In 21 games over the last two seasons, he has averaged 4.2 catches for 70 yards and 0.52 touchdowns per game, but his questionable foot make him a boom/bust pick.