LOS ANGELES — At the University of Texas, Jordan Whittington was a special teams ace, playing on punt and punt return as well as kickoff and kickoff return units. In his rookie season with the Rams, the receiver is settling into a more specialized role as one of the team’s primary kick returners.
In Sunday’s win over the New Orleans Saints, Whittington provided a spark for the Rams (6-6). He returned three kicks for a total of 100 yards, a season-high for the team. His longest went for 43 yards to the Rams 44, setting the offense up for the go-ahead, eight-play touchdown drive.
“Obviously, it’s an 11-man game the way we play it,” special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn said. “To be able to set the blocks up, stay connected, and be able to have the vision to hit that … he’s full speed, one cut and go and that’s exciting to see. Explosives are fun. We have to try to figure out a way to create even more of those.”
Whittington saw an expanded role early in the season as Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua dealt with injuries. But as they returned, his role in the offense decreased. But special teams are still allowing him a way to contribute as he averages 28.2 yards per return this season.
“He’s a violent runner. He has good vision, contact-balance, ball security, a little bit of everything that you’re looking for in a returner, especially in the kick return guy,” Blackburn said. “He’s a little bit bigger size-wise (6-foot-1 and 202 pounds) and physicality. Those are the things that he adds for us.”
NOTES
Rams outside linebacker Jared Verse tweaked his ankle in practice Thursday, head coach Sean McVay said, leading to his limited participation. The rookie, who leads the team with 11 tackles for loss, will be listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills (10-2) but is still expected to play.
“Just being smart with him,” McVay said.
Left tackle Alaric Jackson (foot) was limited at practice Friday for the second straight day after being held out of practice Wednesday. He will be listed as questionable for the Bills game, McVay said, but is also expected to play.
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The Rams will wait at least another week to activate TE Tyler Higbee (knee) off the physically unable to perform (PUP) list as he continues to recover from surgery to repair a torn ACL last winter.
“Maybe this Thursday against the 49ers,” McVay said. “For him to even be out there at this point is a real credit to him. … We always kinda knew we wanted to give him close to that full allotment of time before he ended up getting him back out there.”
Cornerback Emmanuel Forbes, who was claimed off waivers from Washington on Monday, will be left inactive for Sunday’s game against the Bills as he continues to acclimate to his new team, McVay said.