Rams Notebook: Injuries Hurt Depth On Defensive Line

**r8rh8rmike** · -08-24-2012

Rams Notebook: Injuries hurt depth on defensive line

13 hours ago • BY JIM THOMAS

So far this preseason the Rams have been blessed with good fortune with injuries. But the injury bug has taken a couple of bites out the team's defensive line depth this week.

Defensive tackle Darell Scott, who was not at practice the past two days, underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Wednesday, meaning he will miss the final two games of the preseason — and probably beyond. Most 'scopes take about a month to heal, and that's without complications.

Before the injury Scott was fighting an uphill battle for a spot on the 53-man roster. Even with free-agent pickup Trevor Laws sidelined for much of the preseason with patellar tendon (knee) issues, Scott was behind Jermelle Cudjo and Matt Conrath on the depth chart as the top backups to starters Michael Brockers and Kendall Langford.

A fourth-round draft pick in 2009 out of Clemson, Scott has been slowed by injury during much of his time in St. Louis and hasn't been able to build on the promise he showed as a rookie.

The team still has enough bodies at defensive tackle to get them through practice and Saturday's preseason game in Dallas, including Cornell Banks and recently signed John Gill.

Meanwhile, defensive end Eugene Sims' ankle injury, which prompted the team to sign Vernon Gholston on Wednesday, wasn't as bad as initially feared. Sims, who was wearing a walking boot Wednesday, does not have a high ankle sprain — an injury that could have sidelined him a month. As it is, he may miss a week or two.

Speaking of Gholston

Gholston took part in his first Rams practice on Thursday, wearing jersey No. 70 and will play Saturday against the Cowboys.

"We need the legs because we're light (at the position)," coach Jeff Fisher said, explaining Gholston's signing. "We did our research and found out that he was in shape. Obviously, he was a high pick so it was an opportunity to take a look at him.

"So we'll just see how he does. We expect him to play a few plays this week. He's got a sense for what we're doing."

Gholston was a No. 6 overall draft pick in 2008 out of Ohio State, but was a huge disappointment in three seasons with the New York Jets, failing to register a sack in 45 regular-season games. Except for a one-month training camp stint with Chicago last summer, Gholston has been out of the league since 2010.

"After a year (off), it was a little tough," Gholston said of his first Rams practice. "The legs are a little tired. But it was good work."