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Come Fan with UsTuesday, August 4, 2026

Tavon Austin injury: Rams rookie likely out vs. Buccaneers

That’s two straight weeks the all-purpose player has sat with an ankle injury.

St. Louis will likely be without one of its offensive weapons for its Week 16 showdown against the Buccaneers, as it looks like wide receiver Tavon Austin will not play due to an injured ankle, Ian Rapoport is reporting. The same ankle injury kept Austin out of the Rams' upset win over the Saints last week.

The rookie out of West Virginia has been a multi-purpose player for St. Louis this season, as the Rams have used him in the ground game, through the air and as a returner. He has 40 receptions for 418 yards and four touchdowns this season, nine rushes for 151 yards and a score, 33 punt returns for 280 yards and a 98-yard touchdown (tied for third longest in NFL history) and 18 kick returns for 398 yards.

Wide receiver Justin Veltung was promoted from the practice squad after Austin's injury, and filled the role of punt returner in his absence. He will likely do the same this week.

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