Surprise! Rookie Tackle Jason Smith Returns To Practice

[r8rh8rmike]

12.30.2009 2:20 pm
Surprise! Rookie tackle Jason Smith returns to practice
By Bill Coats
St. Louis Post-Dispatch


The St. Louis Rams had a surprise addition to their practice contingent Wednesday. Rookie tackle Jason Smith, out since suffering a concussion Nov. 22 vs. Arizona, was suited up and participated in some light drills. It had generally been assumed that Smith, the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, wouldn’t return to the field this season.

But he passed his follow-up neuro exam and was cleared by the team’s doctors to begin rehab work.

“It was a great relief to, No. 1, pass the test and then to be able to be around the team, be at practice and . . . be able to do something,” Smith said. “We took the test a couple of days ago, and I was able to pass it. We started taking it one day at a time from there, doing light workouts and seeing how the head reacts.”

Neither Smith nor coach Steve Spagnuolo has ruled out the possibility of Smith playing Sunday when the ***** are in town. “We’re just taking it day to day, just light activity and progressing as the week goes,” Smith said. “We’ll see what happens this weekend.”

All for now… more later.

[r8rh8rmike]

This IS a surprise. It's great to see that Smith has the fire to get back with the team, but I'm not sure playing him makes sense when dealing with lingering concussion issues. It's only one game and I'd hold him out, let him take the off-season to fully recover and make sure eveything is right. It will be interesting to see what happens.

[Nick]

Nice to see him back out there and finally pass the neuro-test, but I don't see much sense in trying to play him this weekend.

[RAMarkable]

Nice to see him back out there and finally pass the neuro-test, but I don't see much sense in trying to play him this weekend.

Ditto. The Rams need to take it slow and easy with Mr. Smith.

[RamsFanSam]

[QUOTE=r8rh8rmike;324662]

But he passed his follow-up neuro exam and was cleared by the team’s doctors to begin rehab work.

“It was a great relief to, No. 1, pass the test and then to be able to be around the team, be at practice and . . . be able to do something,” Smith said. “We took the test a couple of days ago, and I was able to pass it. We started taking it one day at a time from there, doing light workouts and seeing how the head reacts.”
QUOTE]

It sounds to me more like he's just out there to slowly work himself back into things - not rush back to the field. I would bet he feels like he's just been released from prison and just wants to feel the freedom.

[Mooselini]

I would want him to sit unless he's 100%. Concussions are things you can't mess around with.

[tomahawk247]

I would want him to sit unless he's 100%. Concussions are things you can't mess around with.

This.

However, if he is 100%, id like to see him getting some playing time at LT. Might as well give him some experience there

[Trevor]

This.

However, if he is 100%, id like to see him getting some playing time at LT. Might as well give him some experience there

No way should the rams risk him getting a concussion again, sit him out and give him a year to recover... Head injuries take a lot more than a couple weeks to fully heal...

[jkramsfan]

This IS a surprise. It's great to see that Smith has the fire to get back with the team, but I'm not sure playing him makes sense when dealing with lingering concussion issues. It's only one game and I'd hold him out, let him take the off-season to fully recover and make sure eveything is right. It will be interesting to see what happens.

I agree Mike, nice to see him back but I don't think it's worth the risk for only one meaningless game,I can't wait to see what he can do for a whole season,I really think he is going to be a big time player.