LONDON — On fourth-and-1, most at Wembley Stadium expected the Rams to run the ball, especially with the team lined up in a three-tight end formation. So with the Jacksonville Jaguars’ defense creeping closer to the line of scrimmage, rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson was able to escape cleanly down the field.
“When I was running the route, he was already panicking on the run,” Ferguson said of the man in coverage. “So the post was just wide open.”
Quarterback Matthew Stafford lofted the ball up for a 31-yard touchdown, the first of Ferguson’s career, making him the second rookie to score for the first time in their NFL career after rookie wide receiver Konata Mumpfield opened the scoring in the Rams’ 35-7 win.
The second-round pick has had to be patient for his moment after dealing with a groin injury in training camp. He was inactive twice in the first four weeks of the season as he tried to catch up on some of the blocking work that Rams tight ends need to have a grasp on before they hit the field.
He got his first career reception in Week 5, then played a career-high 17 snaps in Week 6, leading up to Sunday’s latest milestone.
“It felt really good,” Ferguson said. “I think everyone wants everything right now, especially right now with social media and our phones. Everything happens now, everyone wants it on their timing. But really trusting in god’s timing, whenever that was. Trusting in the coaches, trusting in the coaches has been huge for me.”
Mumpfield has similarly had to wait his turn in a receivers room that includes Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. But his touchdown play was a choice route he had scored on in practice.
“The way (the coverage) was kind of set up, I knew I had an opportunity on that ball,” Mumpfield said. “Gave him a slight little jab and the ball was there. With (Stafford), anything is possible.”
There wasn’t any guarantee Mumpfield would get his opportunity this season, with the depth of the room he joined in April. But he’s tried to look at that as an opportunity to learn rather than a hindrance to his career.
“Really just focusing on being the best version of myself,” Mumpfield said. “A lot of people wish they were in my shoes so really just taking a step at a time, a day at a time, stacking days and just learning as much as I can from those guys because I prayed in college and high school to learn from a guy like (Adams).”
For Adams’ part, he sees a bright future for Mumpfield.
“I call Konata my son because he just reminds me so much of myself as far as a young ‘Tae,” Adams said. “And honestly I think he’s ahead of where I was my rookie year as far as being comfortable in the league. He’s crazy coachable and he’s got all the ability in the world. So as far as whenever I’m done in there, he’ll go and step up and he’ll be catching a lot more touchdowns than he did today.”