By Kathleen Nelson
Of the Post-Dispatch
Thursday, Jan. 13 2005
Rams wide receiver Isaac Bruce was downgraded to questionable for Saturday's
playoff game against the Falcons in Atlanta.
Bruce entered the game in Seattle last weekend suffering from injuries to his
hip and hand and suffered a groin injury in the victory over the Seahawks. He
saw limited action at Thursday's practice, and an interview session was
canceled so Bruce could receive treatment after practice.
The downgrade means that Bruce has about a 50 percent chance of playing, though
coach Mike Martz sounded more optimistic in his assessment.
"Isaac still has some soreness in that groin," Martz said. "With all the years
that he's been doing this, he's fine if he doesn't take a snap all week."
If Bruce can't start or sees limited action, Kevin Curtis will fill the void.
Curtis stepped in for Bruce in the last two weeks, making six catches for 99
yards against the Jets and four receptions for 107 yards against the Seahawks.
Injury update
Also listed as questionable were running back Arlen Harris (hamstring) and
defensive lineman Tyoka Jackson (ankle), the only player who didn't practice
Thursday.
After sitting out Wednesday, defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy returned to limited
practice Thursday and declared his foot "cool."
He was listed as probable Thursday, as were guard Adam Timmerman (foot and
knee), running back
Steven Jackson (ribs) and guard Tom Nutten, who twisted his
left knee Thursday and left the field with about 10 minutes remaining in
practice.
Atlanta still has no one listed on its injury report.
Jackson to wrap ribs
Steven Jackson expects to wear a flak jacket Saturday to protect an injury to
the left side of his rib cage, sustained when he was hit by a helmet late in
the first quarter in Seattle.
He said he had never worn any sort of rib protection but wasn't concerned that
it would hinder him.
"We'll see what I'm comfortable wearing, make sure it doesn't bother me when I
carry the ball," he said. "A flak jacket is not something that's bulky."
Loosen it up
Playoff protocol demands heavy doses of intensity and the Game Face: jaw set a
tad firmer, gaze a bit steelier, smiles nonexistent.
For the past week and a half at Rams Park, though, game faces have featured
twinkling eyes and upturned corners of the mouth. Among the major violations of
the intensity directive were:
Cornerback Jerametrius Butler picked up a reporter's tape recorder, studied the
controls and asked, "What would happen if I turned this off?"
Wide receiver
Torry Holt opened his news conferences by beat-boxing into the
microphone.
A role of trainer's tape sailed over Timmerman's head as he addressed members
of the media.
Air horns interrupted interviews with Kennedy, Timmerman, Anthony Hargrove,
Ryan Pickett, Andy McCollum,
Orlando Pace and
Steven Jackson.
"That's just my O-line showing me love," Jackson said.
The offensive linemen had been considered prime suspects in the frivolity until
Timmerman pointed the finger at quarterback
Marc Bulger as an instigator.
"He's not totally innocent of the air horn incidents," Timmerman said. "He's
more like, 'Here, I got the air horn for you, Adam.'"
These guys seem to be having way too much fun before their do-or-die contest
Saturday in Atlanta.
"When it comes to game time, you're going to be intense," Timmerman said. "But
... you've got to remain loose."
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