Colby Parkinson is 'Trending' Toward Playing Sunday Night, Because Practice is a Construct

Sean McVay says Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson is "trending in the right direction" for Sunday Night Football against the Denver Broncos. According to Adam Schefter, the questionable tag on Parkinson's knee injury might not actually keep him off the field.

"Trending in the right direction" is one of those beautiful pieces of NFL coach-speak. It usually means a guy spent the entire week in the trainer's room wrapped in ice, but the team desperately needs him to run block on national television.

"Sean McVay stated Parkinson is 'trending in the right direction.'"

The context here is objectively hilarious. Parkinson literally did not log a single practice rep on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday. Going from three straight DNPs to playing in a prime-time altitude game is the kind of medical turnaround that makes you question if practice is even a real requirement.

The Rams absolutely need him out there. Los Angeles is already dealing with a battered roster, including star receiver Puka Nacua and safety Kam Kinchens both being listed as doubtful. Parkinson was a massive red-zone safety blanket last year, setting a franchise record for tight ends with eight touchdowns in 2025.

He has been quiet so far this season, logging just three catches for 21 yards across a blowout loss to the San Francisco 49ers and last week's 28-6 win over the New York Giants. But with the receiving corps thinned out, his availability becomes a major variable for anyone staring at a broken fantasy lineup or trying to parse out Sunday night prop totals.

We will get the final word when inactives drop 90 minutes before kickoff in Denver. Until then, expect Parkinson to test the knee in warmups while McVay hopes his tight end's upward trend does not suddenly plateau on the turf.