The 49ers expected to see an exciting playmaker in a Week 4 road win in St. Louis.
Tavon Austin, however, was held in check in a Thursday night matchup against San Francisco. The Rams first-round draft pick caught two passes for six yards and averaged 3.2 yards on six punt returns.
Since then, the shifty wide receiver has enjoyed great offensive and special teams success.
HOT READ:**49ers Welcome Back Crabtree**
Austin was recently named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for November, becoming the first Rams rookie to win a monthly award from the NFL. Austin averaged 25.3 yards per kick return and 22.4 yards per punt return. Austin provided a 98-yard punt return against the Indianapolis Colts and caught 57- and 81-yard touchdown passes in that game.
Austin added a 65-yard touchdown run in last week's upset home win over the Chicago Bears.
The 5-foot-8, 176-pound receiver averaged 75.3 yards per touchdown in November. It was the highest average ever posted by a rookie in any calendar month with a minimum of four touchdowns.
"He's been productive for us since early in the season," Rams coach Jeff Fisher said in a conference call with the Bay Area media.
St. Louis' head coach noted that Austin had several big plays wiped out by penalties.
"His supporting cast has a great deal of confidence in him and they like working for him," Fisher added.
The Rams continue to get the ball to Austin in space and will look to get him more touches this week in San Francisco.
More 49ers headlines can be found in today's Morning Tailgate, presented by State Farm.
Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle looked at the 49ers activation of Michael Crabtree.
Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News shared grades from Monday's primetime victory.
Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com recapped San Francisco's big win in Washington.
Andrew Pentis of 49ers.com highlighted NaVorro Bowman's standout season.
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Better n better everyday#process — Tarell Brown25 (@TarellBrown25) November 26, 2013
