St. Louis Rams – Blog

Jackson Practices, More Injuries

- The Rams appear to be snakebit right now when it comes to the injury bug. While they entered the season relatively healthy with only safety James Butler on the initial injury report, they took some hits over the weekend against Arizona. Injuries in games are very common in the NFL. But the Rams have taken a couple more blows in practice this week, limiting their depth.

- After losing LB Josh Hull for the season to a torn ACL on Wednesday, the Rams had another knee injury during Thursday’s workout. DT Darell Scott was the recipient this time and it remains to be seen how severe it is. He wrapped it up and was able to walk off under his own power. Will update when any new information comes along.

- Defensive tackle Clifton Ryan also did not practice after falling ill last night. Ryan went to the hospital and stayed overnight after feeling quesy earlier in the night. He was undergoing a battery of tests on Thursday. Like Scott, I’ll post another update when more information becomes available.

- As for the rest of the injury list, things remained about the same. Cornerback Kevin Dockery (hamstring) did not practice. Fellow corner Justin King was limited to individual work and did not participate in team drills.

- On the bright side, the Rams got a couple of players back in the workout. Running back Steven Jackson returned to practice as did receiver Laurent Robinson. Robinson was a bit limited but coach Steve Spagnuolo said he appeared to be pretty close to full strength.

- As far as the roster, the Rams made a couple of tweaks official. Linebacker Bryan Kehl was officially added to the roster after the team claimed him off waivers from the Giants. He’s wearing No. 50.

- Defensive tackle Jermelle Cudjo was brought back to the practice squad after he was released earlier in the week to make room for TE Darcy Johnson. The Rams released LB Mortty Ivy to make room for Cudjo. Of course, depending on the severity of Scott’s knee injury and Ryan’s illness, Cudjo could well be back up with the varsity before the weekend.

- With the injury situation as it is, here’s how the Rams break down at positions where those ailments have hit the hardest…
LB: James Laurinaitis, Na’il Diggs, Larry Grant, David Vobora, Bryan Kehl. All five are healthy with Hull on injured reserve and Chris Chamberlain out six to eight weeks.
CB: Ron Bartell, Bradley Fletcher, Jerome Murphy. Those three are fine with King and Dockery nursing hamstring injuries. The Rams are hopeful King will be ready for Sunday.
TE: Daniel Fells, Billy Bajema, Fendi Onobun, Darcy Johnson. Those four are good to go with Michael Hoomanawanui out six to eight weeks with a high ankle sprain. Onobun isn’t likely to be active this week as Spagnuolo says he still has a ways to go to be ready.

- Clearly, some more roster tweaks could be in the offing depending on how guys come along for injury. I’ll try to update Ryan and Scott’s status this evening. Thanks for checking in.

Rams Begin Oakland Prep

- The Rams got back on the practice field Wednesday afternoon with a two-plus hour workout as they begin the process of preparing to play Oakland on Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum.

- First, a bit of business as the Rams made some roster moves late Tuesday, shuffling the practice squad and providing some depth at tight end.

- The Rams released DT Jermelle Cudjo and brought back tight end Darcy Johnson, who was with the team in training camp. Johnson was back on the practice field in his customary No. 87 on Wednesday afternoon. Cudjo is a candidate to go to the practice squad upon clearing waivers.

- Speaking of the practice squad, the Rams released RB Allen Patrick and WR Brandon McRae and brought in LB/FB Britt Miller and FB/TE Jamie McCoy. Clearly, the Rams are searching for insurance because of the injuries to TE Michael Hoomanawanui and LB Chris Chamberlain.

- Local fans might be familiar with Miller, who played his college ball at Illinois. He has been converted to a fullback but also can play linebacker and special teams as he did last year in San Francisco.

- No decision has been made yet on Chamberlain, who has a fractured toe and is expected to miss six to eight weeks. It’s possible he could still go on injured reserve but nothing appears imminent. Hoomanawanui is also expected to be out six to eight weeks.

- Wednesday’s practice represented a major shift in player participation as injuries hit the Rams fairly hard over the weekend. RB Steven Jackson (knee), WR Laurent Robinson (ankle), Hoomanawanui (ankle), Chamberlain (toe), CB Kevin Dockery (hamstring) and CB Justin King (hamstring) didn’t participate in the practice. Jackson and Robinson are expected to be OK but are being monitored on a day to day basis. Dockery isn’t likely to be ready to go but King still could bounce back.

- Additionally, LB Josh Hull suffered an MCL injury early in practice. He was on crutches with a brace afterward and Spagnuolo said he could miss some extended time.

- Clearly, the Rams will need to find some linebacker depth from somewhere in the next day or so.

- DT Fred Robbins has a lower leg injury and was limited. He’s expected to be fine.

- As for the work on the field, Brandon Gibson got more work with Robinson out as Amendola jumped into the slot. Spagnuolo says Gibson is making strides but will need to be a contributor on special teams to get a more regular role.

- Speaking of special teams, the three specialists – Josh Brown, Donnie Jones and Chris Massey – went to a local field to practice kicking on dirt because that’s what they’ll work on in Oakland.

- Spagnuolo said his team came out “hungry” on Wednesday but called the practice a bit sluggish.

- Spagnuolo also said that Amendola will continue his heavy workload but that Mardy Gilyard will continue working on kick returns.

- That’s it for today. Thanks for reading.