Rams are hoping for a big contribution from receiver Kenny Britt

The Rams’ passing game ranked last in the NFL in 2015, producing a league-worst 11 touchdowns.

That’s only two more than receiver Kenny Britt scored in one season for the Tennessee Titans.

That was six years ago, when Britt was in his second NFL season, and the Rams could use that kind of production as they seek to put together a winning season for the first time since 2003.

Off-season shoulder and knee surgeries kept Britt mostly on the sideline during organized team activities in June.

On Wednesday, the 6-foot-2, 223-pound Britt bounced back from the first practice in full pads with another consistent display of strength.

“He’s an instinctive, smart football player who doesn’t make mistakes,” Coach Jeff Fisher said after practice. “He’s having a good camp so far.”

Last season, Britt caught 36 passes, three for touchdowns.

He is in the final year of his contract and will be paid about $4.9 million, according to Spotrac.com. Britt would like to make his stay in Los Angeles a long one.

“I want to be one of the guys that sets the platform for the next years to come with the L.A. Rams,” he said.

The Rams took a major step to address their passing deficiencies by trading up to select quarterback Jared Goff with the top pick in the draft.

Fisher hired Mike Groh as receivers coach and passing game coordinator but the receiving corps returns largely intact with Britt, Tavon Austin and Brian Quick the three most experienced players. The Rams selected receivers Pharoh Cooper and Michael Thomas in the draft.

“We’ve got to take ownership,” Britt said, adding, “when we line up [against opposing defenses], it’s got to be, ‘If you know whether it’s coming or not, you have to stop it.’ And that’s how we have to play all year.”

Britt has played for Fisher nearly his entire career.

The Titans selected Britt out of Rutgers with the 30th pick in the 2009 draft. He caught a career-best nine touchdowns in 2010, but suffered a major knee injury in 2011 and has not scored more than four touchdowns in a season since 2012.

The Rams signed Britt as a free agent before the 2014 season and he caught 48 passes, three for touchdowns.

Quarterback Case Keenum, who opened training camp atop the depth chart, completed several passes to Britt on Tuesday and Wednesday and said they were building chemistry and “non-verbal communication” so that he can anticipate the receiver’s moves.

“I just need to look at him and know he knows that I know that he knows that I know type deal,” Keenum said. “It’s getting there and it’s fun to see.”

Catching on

Cooper was sidelined for the second consecutive day because of a quadriceps issue, creating more opportunities for Thomas.

The sixth-round draft pick from Southern Mississippi appears to have made big strides since organized team activities and the first day of training camp.

“Just relaxing more, not really over-thinking things, just relaxing and calming down,” Thomas said. “Like on my first day back. … I was moving so fast that the ball was, like, shaking. I just told myself, ‘Yo, calm down, just be you’ and that’s what I think I’m doing good at.“

Versatile lineman

Rodger Saffold spent the off-season preparing to start at left guard and help stabilize the performance of left tackle Greg Robinson.

But Rob Havenstein’s foot issue forced the Rams to shift Saffold to right tackle.

“It’s definitely been another change but it’s expected,” Saffold said. “This has been happening the last three years, so I wouldn’t expect anything different.”

Saffold, 28, said he had no problem making the switch and was happy his versatility could help the team.

“If this is the best way that we can get people ready and let [Havenstein] get some time to get healed up, then why not?” he said.

Saffold can play every position except center, Fisher said.

“It gives us the flexibility and the peace of mind knowing that if you do have an issue, Rodger can plug in any place,” Fisher said.

Notes

Cornerback E.J. Gaines, sidelined last season because of a foot injury, worked some with the first-team defense but struggled to complete practice. “We’ve been increasing his reps,” Fisher said. “We just have to see how he tolerates that. So, he came up a little bit lame at the end of practice, so we have to check him out.” … Several passes by Goff were tipped and nearly intercepted. … Singer Kendrick Lamar attended practice. … Running back Todd Gurley turned 22 on Wednesday. Fans serenaded him by singing “Happy Birthday” and cornerback Trumaine Johnson and Austin surprised him with a towel full of shaving cream. … The Rams are off Thursday. They will practice Friday at UC Irvine and Saturday at the Coliseum as part of the Rams’ inaugural Family Day.