EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Noticeable only by his absence from the game-day roster in the first two weeks, St. Louis Rams receiver Brian Quick has been the subject of many questions as to his whereabouts.

A year ago at this time, Quick was on his way to a breakthrough season before the devastating shoulder injury that ended his season Oct. 26. After working furiously to overcome an injury that some medical professionals thought might be career-threatening, Quick was able to make it back this year to participate in training camp and a couple of preseason games.

Visions of a return to the lineup and picking up where he left off began to dance in the heads of Rams fans everywhere. Then the season started and Quick was a pregame inactive in each of the first two games.

Rams receiver Brian Quick was able to make it back from last year's season-ending shoulder injury in time for training camp and preseason games, but he's been inactive for the first two regular-season games. AP Photo/TUSP, Jay Biggerstaff

Rams coach Jeff Fisher has repeatedly said Quick's absence isn't related to his shoulder but is more a function of making the game-day numbers work with special teams.

“He just needs to keep practicing," Fisher said. "Just be patient. He understands that we have to go to 46 (players) and it’s a numbers game. He’s in much better shape right now than he was a few weeks ago, so it’s nothing structurally or physically to do with his shoulder at this point.”

Nothing structural or physical to do with the shoulder would indicate Quick is indeed not injured. Quick himself has said he's been feeling about 100 percent for the past couple months. He hasn't appeared on the injury report in any of the first three weeks, either.

But just because Quick is technically healthy doesn't mean he's back where he needs to be to contribute at the level the Rams want him at to be on the game-day roster or take on a full workload within the offense.

"I’m just being patient," Quick said. "Whenever my number is called, whenever the coaching staff decides to put me in the mix of everything, that’s when I’m going to be ready. I need to get the feel back. I missed a lot of football last year, just coming into practice every day and coming in working."

Get the feel back?

"As far as getting in the mix of everything," Quick said. "I just missed a lot last year. I’ve still got to get the flow of things. I did camp, but I did it with the yellow (no contact) hat and defense wasn’t able to tackle me or hit me, no contact. So I feel like playing those last two preseason games got the feel for things, and then going out there against the ones, it just helps me bring that back."

Quick has been working with the second-team offense in practice, which is what he means when he says he's going against "the ones" -- ie, the starters. Still, his absence has been curious given that he was a starter when he was injured last season. It hasn't helped that the Rams receivers have so far been nowhere to be found when it comes to contributing to the offense.

Through the first two games, Rams wide receivers have combined for 12 catches and 150 yards, both ranking last in the league for a receiver corps. By way of comparison, Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Antonio Brown has 18 catches for 328 yards by himself.

Adding Quick's size and blocking ability on the perimeter would also seem to be a boon to the run game.

“The sky is the limit for that guy," Rams quarterback Nick Foles said. "So talented, such a big receiver. His ball skills are among the best I’ve seen, just how he goes up and gets it. When he’s healthy and when he’s back out there, it’s going to be exciting. We have a great group of guys who go out there and catch balls every day. My job is just to make sure I’m putting them in a position to give them an accurate pass and give them an opportunity to be successful and show their talents. When he gets out there, it’ll be exciting.”

When that will be remains to be seen. Fisher said earlier this week that Quick hasn't been ruled out for this week's game against Pittsburgh, but chances are Quick will have to remain patient for at least another week.

“It’s like anybody that’s missed a significant part of the offseason program and was limited in training camp, you’re going to be a little bit behind," Fisher said. "That’s his only issue. So I’d like to think he’s caught up by this point.”