Tavon Austin, Rams agree to 4-year, $42M contract extension

DENVER >> The Rams have signed receiver Tavon Austin to a four-year contract extension worth $42 million, the team confirmed Saturday, shortly before the Rams’ preseason game against the Denver Broncos.

In May, the Rams had picked up the fifth-year option on Austin’s rookie contract, which kept him under contract through the 2017 season. Now, Austin will be with the Rams through at least 2021. The new contract includes $30 million in guaranteed money.

Austin, 25, was a first-round draft pick (No. 8 overall) out of West Virginia by the Rams in 2013. He is considered the team’s primary big-play threat, both as a receiver and on frequent running plays, and is also the Rams’ primary punt retuer.

“Tavon has been an integral part of our offense and special teams since we drafted him in 2013,” Rams Coach Jeff Fisher said in a statement released by the team before the game. “It is important to our organization to retain players we’ve drafted and invested in, and Tavon is an example of that. We’re excited for him to continue his career with the Rams.”

In 2015, his third season, Austin led the Rams in receptions (52) and touchdowns (five) and was third on the team in receiving yards (473). Austin was also second on the team in rushing yards (434), second in rushing touchdowns (four) and third in rushing attempts (52).

In three seasons, Austin has totaled 123 catches, 1,133 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns, plus 97 rushing attempts, 809 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns. Fisher recently declared Austin, veteran Kenny Britt and rookie Pharoh Cooper the Rams’ top three receivers.

Middle linebacker Alec Ogletree, the Rams’ other 2013 first-round pick, also has a contract that exprires after the 2013 season. The Rams picked up Ogletree’s fifth-year option at the same time as Austin.

Held out

Out of precaution, the Rams decided to not play top running back Todd Gurley, something at which Fisher had hinted during the week. Fisher said Gurley “might be the exception” to his desire to get increased playing time for starters.

Gurley did not play in the preseason opener and last week he had four carries for 20 yards. Gurley is unlikely to play Thursday in the Rams’ preseason finale at Minnesota.

Rams safety Maurice Alexander also missed the game for undisclosed reasons.

Close to retu

Right tackle Rob Havenstein, who has missed all of training camp with a foot injury, joined the team on the field for pregame warmups and is expected to begin practice this week.

So for at least one more game, the Rams went with an adjusted offensive line, with Rodger Saffold at right tackle and Cody Wichmann at left guard. What happens with Havenstein retus remains unknown.

Advertisement

Back at it

As expected, defensive end Robert Quinn made his preseason debut and experienced his first game action since last November. Quinn was credited with one tackle and was called for offsides once.

Quinn, who led the NFC in sacks in 2013 (19.0) and was a Pro Bowl selection in 2013 and 2014, had back surgery last December. He sat out the Rams’ preseason opener, per Fisher’s choice, then missed last week’s game because he had traveled to Brazil to watch his sister compete in the Olympics.

sport world...