St. Louis Rams WR Danny Amendola Injury Will Hamper Team's Offense, Possibly Season

The St. Louis Rams' offense has been stagnant for the past three weeks, which is a major part of their three consecutive losses. And now, it may remain that way for the rest of the season.

Slot specialist Danny Amendola has elected to have surgery to repair a torn left tricep muscle, an injury he suffered in the season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. He elected to forego surgery then and try to rehab his way back onto the field. The Rams had been hopeful he would return after the team's bye week on Oct. 16, but the wide receiver had a setback in rehab and got a second medical opinion on Wednesday in Dallas, Texas.

Practicing last week made the triceps tear worse, prompting the need for surgery.

Amendola led the team with 85 receptions last season and was prepared to have an even better season this year, possibly resulting in a Pro Bowl.

Initially it might seem like a drop-off, but we expect these guys to step up and play, said coach Steve Spagnuolo on Wednesday in anticipation Amendola would be out for an extended period. We miss Danny, there is no question about that.

The Rams will have to make do without Amendola, who was the team's Wes Welker of sorts. However, receivers Danario Alexander and Brandon Gibson have stepped in decently. Mike Sims-Walker is the one that will need to produce a little more if the Rams hope to repeat as division champs.

QB Sam Bradford is struggling without a go-to guy and, without Amendola, it seems as though he and the Rams will continue to have trouble figuring out how to get past defenses for the rest of the year. With Amendola last season, they went an acceptable 7-9 because of the weak NFC West.

Now, at 1-3, Amendola's loss could spell less than seven wins.