The writing had been written on the wall for veteran wide receiver Tavon Austin's future with the Los Angeles Rams. There has been the growing expectation that the team was nearing a decision to part ways with him after four seasons.

His role on the team had continued to diminish this past season that brought up serious question regarding his salary being worth the relatively decreased role on the team. However, it appears that the Rams have reversed course with Austin and now intend to keep him aboard., according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports.

Alden Gonzalez of ESPN also added that this came in largely due to Austin having his deal restructured to be a lower financial hit for the Rams that he is now playing on what's basically a one-year $8 million contract.

Back in August 2016, Austin had inked a four-year, $42 million deal with $30 million in guarantees that runs through the 2021 season. The 27-year-old is on the books for $8 million this season with $5 million of that due in roster bonuses and $3 million in base salary that becomes guaranteed on Thursday.

Since the Rams selected him with the eighth overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. In his first six seasons, he has recorded 194 receptions for 1,689 yards and 184 carries for 1,238 yards. His best season in 2016 where he had career highs with 52 catches for 509 receiving yards and three touchdowns. However, his role production took a significant dip this past season recording career lows with 13 catches for 47 receiving yards along with 12 carries for 53 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Austin's decreased role was directly a result of the addition of several different players at wide receiver in Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods, and Cooper Kupp. This had left the West Virginia product left out of the mix for much of the season and no nearly no involvement in the Wildcard playoff game against the Atlanta Falcons.

With the Rams deciding to keep aboard, the Rams may look to figure out a defined role for Tavon Austin next season following the departure of Watkins to the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency.