The St. Louis Rams will not be turning to another rookie tight end to replace Michael Hoomanawanui...not this week at any rate. Sixth round pick Fendi Onobun will most likely be inactive against the Raiders this week.
Head coach Steve Spagnuolo said that Onobun is not ready for NFL action just yet. Fans have high hopes for the lanky former NCAA D-I basketball player, but with just one year of football under his belt, Spags' assessment isn't too surprising.
Last year, the coaches kept telling the press that rookie QB Keith Null wasn't ready for prime time. When they were forced to start Null, it was easy to see just what they meant. It's a positive sign that Onobun is on the 53-man roster, a testament to his ability. With Hoomanawanui out for 6-8 weeks, I suspect Onobun will get on the field soon enough. Keep an eye on practice reports. With Uh Oh out, the Rams might need another red zone weapon. Hell, the way injuries keep hitting the special teams players, it could be sooner than expected.