The Rams walked into Sunday short at tight end, and that set up what looked like a natural chance for rookie Max Klare to get involved. Instead, Los Angeles barely used him at all.
Terrance Ferguson had already been placed on injured reserve Friday with a medial ankle sprain, and Colby Parkinson missed the entire week of practice because of an AC sprain. With those bodies out or limited, the Rams had a choice: lean harder into their multiple-tight-end identity and give Klare a bigger role, or pivot back toward 11 personnel. They chose the latter.
Klare logged just one offensive snap against the Eagles. That play came in the third quarter on Kyren Williams’ 23-yard run, a gain that was wiped out by an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the bench. He also played zero snaps on special teams, which stood out even more after he had four last week against the Denver Broncos and two the week before.
Sean McVay had sounded open to the idea earlier in the week when asked whether the injuries to Parkinson and Ferguson would mean more chances for Klare.
“It certainly does,” said McVay. “Obviously, being able to play with multiple tight ends has become a big part of our identity and so it absolutely does.”
That never really materialized on Sunday. The Rams used 11 personnel on 88 percent of their offensive plays, their highest rate since Week 5 last year and the second-highest mark in Week 4. They ran only one play out of 13 personnel and had just nine snaps with multiple tight ends on the field.
That was a sharp turn from how the Rams have started the season. Through the first three weeks, they were in 11 personnel on 56 percent of their offense, which ranked 19th in the NFL, while their 42 percent usage of 13 personnel led the league. On Sunday, the script flipped almost completely.
The move didn’t exactly pay off, either. Out of 11 personnel, the Rams averaged -0.09 EPA per play, and in the first half that number dropped to -0.33. Konata Mumpfield, Jordan Whittington, and Tutu Atwell combined for three catches on six targets, and none of them topped 10 receiving yards.
All of that makes Klare’s usage look even stranger. The Rams spent much of the offseason shaping the offense around multiple-tight-end looks, and they still had a clear opportunity to use the rookie against Philadelphia. Instead, he was on the field for one play that wasn’t even a pass.
Week 5 could bring a different setup. The Rams are hoping to get Parkinson back, but Ferguson is out for at least the next three games.
Given the personnel they have on offense, living almost entirely in 11 personnel may not be a long-term answer. That could eventually force Klare into the mix.
For now, though, Sunday suggested the Rams may not think he’s ready to help on offense yet.
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