Los Angeles Rams: Wide receiver signings due to Tavon Austin ailment?

A recent run of Los Angeles Rams wide receivers signings coincides with Tavon Austin hamstring injury — coincidence?

Los Angeles Rams wide receivers are plentiful during training game, with the signings of three more free agents this week. Coach Sean McVay’s offense calls for a deep threat, the role DeSean Jackson performed for the Washington Redskins last season when McVay was their offensive coordinator.

The Rams have looked toward Tavon Austin to fill that role this season. But Austin missed much of the preseason because of a wrist injury he suffered in 2016. Now he has missed a couple of training camp practices with a hamstring injury. And during his first four years in the NFL, he has not established himself as a legitimate deep threat.

Are the Rams nervous?

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ESPN.com’s Alden Gonzalez thinks there may be reason to be:

"The Rams have added three receivers in two days, the latest being KD Cannon out of Baylor, recently released by the Jets. They already had a ton, too. Tavon Austin has missed the last two practices because of a hamstring injury. Wonder if there’s legitimate concern there."

L.A. also signed C.J. Germany, a wide receiver out of Notre Dame College, where he set a school record with a 21.08 yards-per-catch average for his career, TheRams.com reported.

The stable of Rams wide receivers also includes free agent Justin Thomas of Georgia Tech. Thomas played quarterback for the Yellow Jackets. He threw for 4,449 yards and rushed for 2,370 yards at Tech. He tried his hand at defensive back for the Saints before signing with the Rams.

Austin has to get healthy so the Rams can continue to use him in gadget plays, even if he isn’t the deep threat they want. Asking rookie Josh Reynolds, a sixth-round pick from Texas A&M, to step up as the primary deep threat so soon may be a bit much to ask.

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But an ailing — or ineffective — Austin could be especially problematic to the Rams wide receivers and the team’s hopes of climbing back to respectability in 2017.