FANTASY FOOTBALL NFL PLAYERS

Posted: 3/23/2013 3:01pm et

St. Louis Rams WR Chris Givens will have a bigger role in 2013, as the team saw WRs Danny Amendola and Brandon Gibson leave via free agency. Givens was more comfortable running short and intermediate routes as the season progressed last season, rather than just being a downfield threat. "He improved weekly," head coach Jeff Fisher said. "We were able to do more and more with him as he got more familiar. I think he knows that this is his opportunity."

Huddle Up: That the Rams haven't pushed to re-sign or replace Amendola and Gibson suggests they're ready to turn over more of the passing game to Givens and Brian Quick--or dip into a deep draft class for more receiver help. Givens proved his mettle as a deep threat last season; if he can add something in the short game as well, he could take over Amendola's role as the Rams' go-to receiver.

Posted: 12/4/2012 1:45pm et

St. Louis Rams head coach Jeff Fisher hinted that WR Chris Givens could have an expanded role the last four games of the season now that he's improving his short game. 'Yeah, we've been talking about that. He's got to bring his game from the long touchdown passes back closer to the line of scrimmage and be more proficient in the short and intermediate passing game, and he's doing that. He's getting to where he needs to get to. He's making the quick catches. It's also very helpful when you have an accurate quarterback to put the ball where he needs to put it. He's a guy that, hopefully, as we push through the rest of the season, will have more plays. What we're looking for is the run after catch opportunities for him, but he's improving,' Fisher said.

Huddle Up: Givens' "short game" was on full display in Week 13, posting 11 catches for 92 yards in the win over the Niners. And with defenses still having to respect the deep routes, Givens should have plenty of room to work going forward. Count on Givens getting plenty of looks down the stretch, especially if WR Danny Amendola remains sidelined.

Posted: 11/13/2012 5:51pm et

Updating previous reports, St. Louis Rams WR Chris Givens and CB Janoris Jenkins were deactivated in Week 10 after violating curfew, according to a league source.

Huddle Up: Nothing like rookies out after curfew. In any case, Givens and Jenkins paid their price with their suspensions this past Sunday against the 49ers and will be back for the Week 11 game against the Jets. Givens is tied for the team lead with 2 TD receptions and ranks third with 333 receiving yards.

Posted: 11/12/2012 10:47pm et

St. Louis Rams head coach Jeff Fisher said Monday, Nov. 12, that WR Chris Givens and CB Janoris Jenkins, inactive for the Week 10 game due to disciplinary reasons, will practice Wednesday, Nov. 14.

Huddle Up: The Rams, didn't seem to miss the 2 regular contributors too much Sunday, as they managed to tie the heavily-favored 49ers on the road. Givens, though, has been the Rams' top deep threat with 13 catches for 333 yards (25.6-per-catch average) and a pair of TDs, and QB Sam Bradford will be glad to have him back.