With the Rams’ offense struggling, Sean McVay is looking for ways to get things back on track. One of the most notable changes in the last two weeks has been Colby Parkinson’s role.
A big free-agent addition, Parkinson’s playing time has dropped significantly in the last two weeks, seeing the field for just 43 total snaps after playing 46 snaps alone in Week 8. Against the Dolphins on Monday night, he was barely involved. He played just 11 total snaps and for the second straight week, he wasn’t targeted a single time.
Davis Allen has seemingly taken over as the top tight end on the depth chart and he’s coming off a five-catch game against Miami. On Wednesday, McVay was asked if Parkinson’s healthy considering how little he’s played, and he shared a bit about what’s led to that change.
“He is,” McVay said. “What we’re looking at is, I think (TEs coach Nick) Caley does a great job with those tight ends. It’s really just we’ve had some different personnel groupings and it’s really trying to maximize those three guys, both Davis, Hunter (Long), and obviously Colby. They’ve done some good things, but I think the strength of the unit is in that unit and being able to get all those guys involved.”
Parkinson was underperforming as a starter, catching just 23 passes for 214 yards so far this season. He’s also had his struggles as a blocker in the run game, and an illegal formation penalty against the Seahawks in Week 9 didn’t help his case, either.
It sounds like all three tight ends will continue to play each week but Parkinson has clearly fallen out of favor with the coaching staff in recent weeks and he may not go back to playing 80-plus percent of the snaps again.
