Thomas: Injuries Thin Ranks At CB, TE

[r8rh8rmike]

Injuries thin ranks at CB, TE

BY JIM THOMAS
Friday, August 12, 2011

The St. Louis Rams have added starters and dramatically improved their depth at several positions during free agency. But two weeks into camp, injuries have left the Rams paper thin at cornerback and tight end.

At cornerback, starter Ron Bartell (thigh) is expected to miss Saturday's preseason opener at the Edward Jones Dome against Indianapolis. So is free-agent pickup Al Harris after tweaking his knee Thursday. The severity of Harris' injury is uncertain, but he was not seen at the Rams' Friday morning walk-through.

Jerome Murphy may be out for the season following ankle surgery Wednesday. Marquis Johnson, a seventh-round draft pick in 2010, is on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list following microfracture knee surgery and may be a ways away from playing.

The injuries to Harris and Murphy could make Justin King the frontrunner for the nickel back job. King will start in Bartell's place Saturday at corner. All the injuries should give 2011 seventh-round pick Mikail Baker and undrafted rookie Dionte Dinkins plenty of work against the Colts.

The Rams are one man under the 90-man roster limit, and are exploring their options for veteran help at cornerback.

At tight end, Michael Hooomanawanui has missed about a week with a concussion, and could be a ways away from playing. He hadn't even been seen on the field during practice until Friday morning when he watched the team's walk-through held in the indoor facility at Rams Park. The Rams and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels had big plans for Hoomanawanui in the new scheme, so the lost practice time and lost preseason playing time doesn't help.

On Thursday, Fendi Onbobun suffered a groin muscle injury and is expected to miss the Colts game, leaving the Rams with only two of their top four tight ends healthy: Billy Bajema and second-round draft pick Lance Kendricks. (The team opted not to re-sign Daniel Fells in free agency, and he ended up signing with Denver.)

The Rams tried to bring in Tennessee free agent Bo Scaife for a visit last week, but Scaife ended up signing with Cincinnati. Because of the injuries, rookie free agents Ben Guidugli and Schuylar Oordt should see plenty of action against the Colts.

[Rambos]

Philadelphia has a surplus of shut-down, cover cornerbacks.

The Eagles reportedly have Samuel on the trading block lets get on the phone and get him in...

[GROUND DOG 39]

I think getting another decent CB is becoming more and more a priority. The Rams are very young and it's seem's like the lockout has spoiled the players preparation. I would feel a lot more confident if we had better depth at corner, it seems the Rams have a lot of injury prone players.?

[sosa39rams]

Well our secondary takes another hit with Mikail Baker the rookie being out for the Colts game.

[TheBritishRam]

The rams are already looking at getting a vet CB. Via Rotoworld:

The Rams will host free agent CB Rod Hood this Thursday.
Hood was out of football last season after tearing his ACL in 2010 OTAs. He has history with Steve Spagnuolo as an Eagles nickel back in the mid-2000s.

Source: Jim Thomas on Twitter

[ZiaRam]

Heck we might just be giving some fans a oppurtunity of a liftime once the 2nd half rolls around tomorrrow..."Your once in a lifetime chance to play CB in a NFL preseason game"