Rams-49ers: Players to Watch

Another Sunday. Another Rams loss. What sets the Rams' Week 8 loss to the Chiefs apart is the number of injuries accrued in that single game.

Receiver Brian Quick, the Rams' leading receiver, sustained a season ending shoulder/rotator cuff injury. Left tackle Jake Long re-tore the same ACL as last season. Right guard Rodger Saffold, safety Rodney McLeod, and center Scott Wells are some of the others on the wounded list.

What now? The Rams are moving on and onto the San Francisco 49ers. They added former USC and former Titan receiver Damian Williams to add bodies to a rather thin receiving corps, and made a "blockbuster" trade for the Buccaneers' former first-rounder, safety Mark Barron.

While it is not expected for the two new additions to contribute right away, there are plenty of other players that are expected to step their game up.

Players to Watch

Stedman Bailey

With Brian Quick out for the season, the Rams will need a receiver to step up and fill in. Stedy is one of the receivers the Rams are banking on.

Bailey's season started late, so he has not had as many opportunities to produce, but he definitely is reliable – something other Rams receivers have not been. Last week, Stedman was targeted on three occasions and he came up with two catches for 33 yards. It is not much, but it is something. At this point, it is really all we can expect.

Kenny Britt

Kenny Britt was Brian Quick's running mate. He was the No. 2 receiver. It's time for Kenny "Halter Jersey" Britt to step up and be numero uno. Britt has all the tools to be the top pass catcher. He has the size. He has the speed. He has the skill set. Why hasn't this translated on to the football field? ¯\_(ツ)_ /¯

Britt has flashed his ability a few times this season. He's had three catches of 30-yards or more this year. He is definitely going to get more opportunities now with Quick gone. Lets see if Kenny takes advantage.

Lance Kendricks

The Rams' leader in touchdowns? Yep you guessed it, Lance Kendricks. While Kendricks has not wowed anyone statistically, he only has 128 yards on 16 catches (a 8.0 average), he definitely is one of the only Rams answering when his number is called. Four of those 16 catches have gone for touchdowns.

Kendricks has caught a touchdown in each of the Rams' last three games. There is a good chance Lance scores another TD this week as well.

Greg Robinson

Greg Robinson made is first career start at left guard three weeks ago against San Francisco. That was Week 6. Fast forward to Week 9 and Greg Robinson is again facing another first – his first career start at left tackle.

At guard, Robinson has held his own so far in his first three games. At times, Greg even looked dominant – mauling opposing defenders. In the quarter and change Robinson played at left tackle in the Kansas City game, he did aight. He did not manhandle pass-rushers but for the most, he kept them away from the quarterback. For an unpolished, raw pass blocker, that's all we can ask for.

G-Rob was drafted to be the left tackle of the future. His time came sooner than expected. The experience he will gain at tackle can only help improve Greg's skills as a pass blocker.

Robert Quinn

It's about time the real Robert Quinn showed up. Quinn accumulated two sacks and a forced fumble against the Chiefs last week, bringing his sack total up to three for three year. It is a far cry from the 19 sacks he had last year, but it is good to see him get sacks in consecutive games. It means Quinn is gaining steam, and it gets scary once this train is going full speed.

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**Chris Givens is another receiver to keep an eye out for. His speed is only rivaled by Tavon Austin. I'm not mentioning Tavon as a receiver to watch because it's well known the Rams' offensive coordinator does not know how to use him. The only way Tavon can have an impact is through the return game. A huge return by Austin can definitely spark up this team.

But tell me what you think. Which receiver shows up the biggest? Which players are you paying close attention to?**