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Leonard Little's knee injury gives St. Louis Rams a scare
BY BILL COATS
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
08/25/2009
What appeared Monday morning to be a major blow to the Rams' defense evolved into a relatively minor issue by the afternoon.
End Leonard Little, one of the most impressive performers during training camp, crumpled to the ground with an injury to his right knee during nine-on-seven drills in the day's first of two practices.
When he reached the sideline, Little slammed his helmet to the ground and booted a down marker in frustration. After team medical personnel examined him, Little tried to return to the action (the players were in full pads, but there was no live tackling).
But after a few snaps, Little left again and watched the rest of the two-hour workout with his knee wrapped in ice. "We just wanted to shut him down and be careful," coach Steve Spagnuolo said.
Chris Long moved from right end to Little's spot on the left side, and James Hall manned the right side. Victor Adeyanju also took some first-team reps at left end.
The players were in shells (shorts and light shoulder pads) for the second practice. Little was among them, and he even was able to do limited work.
Afterward, team officials said that the injury had been diagnosed as a sprain and that Little's status would be determined on a day-to-day basis.
A LITTLE REHAB WORK
Defensive tackle Adam Carriker (ankle) and wide receivers Donnie Avery (foot) and Tim Carter (groin) did individual work. Carriker also participated briefly in team drills.
"All that was just rehab, and then you shut them down," Spagnuolo said. "Right now, we're not ready to make any estimations of when they would be back."
The Rams refused to make any of the three players available to reporters Monday.
Quarterback Marc Bulger (finger), guard Jacob Bell (concussion), running back Kenneth Darby (knee) and wide receiver Brooks Foster (ankle) remain sidelined.
BATTLE AT TACKLE
Spagnuolo hinted that when he does return, Carriker — a starter since the Rams made him their first-round draft pick in 2007 — will have to contend with Gary Gibson for the first-team spot alongside Clifton Ryan.
"I think Adam will have his work cut out for him, but he's a good football player," Spagnuolo said. "We'll let everybody battle it out and we'll see what happens by the time we get to Seattle" for the regular-season opener Sept. 13.
Carriker was injured Aug. 7 in a scrimmage at Lindenwood.
BOLLER SEES PROGRESS
Kyle Boller, promoted to first-team quarterback after Bulger was hurt Aug. 17, said he's becoming more comfortable in his new role.
"I'm doing good, just continuing to work with the guys, the receivers with the timing, getting comfortable with (center) Jason (Brown) and the offensive line — all the little things of just getting back into it," Boller said. "Each practice gets a little bit better."
Boller, who started 42 games during six seasons in Baltimore, was signed as a free agent in the offseason. In Friday's 20-13 preseason loss to Atlanta, he completed nine of 16 passes for 91 yards, without an interception.
The first-team offense hasn't produced a touchdown in two games, and Boller indicated that would be the unit's focus Thursday night in Cincinnati.
"We've got to finish drives ... put the ball in the end zone and score points; that's how you win games," he said. "I think our guys are going to take this game very seriously. This is our next opportunity."
RAM-BLINGS
The open practices during training camp drew 10,400 spectators to Rams Park. ... Wide receiver Nate Jones made two acrobatic catches, including a diving grab in the end zone, in 11-on-11 "team" drills. ... Adeyanju and rookie tackle Phil Trautwein scuffled briefly during one-on-one work. A few punches were thrown, but, as usual, no damage was done.
BY BILL COATS
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
08/25/2009
What appeared Monday morning to be a major blow to the Rams' defense evolved into a relatively minor issue by the afternoon.
End Leonard Little, one of the most impressive performers during training camp, crumpled to the ground with an injury to his right knee during nine-on-seven drills in the day's first of two practices.
When he reached the sideline, Little slammed his helmet to the ground and booted a down marker in frustration. After team medical personnel examined him, Little tried to return to the action (the players were in full pads, but there was no live tackling).
But after a few snaps, Little left again and watched the rest of the two-hour workout with his knee wrapped in ice. "We just wanted to shut him down and be careful," coach Steve Spagnuolo said.
Chris Long moved from right end to Little's spot on the left side, and James Hall manned the right side. Victor Adeyanju also took some first-team reps at left end.
The players were in shells (shorts and light shoulder pads) for the second practice. Little was among them, and he even was able to do limited work.
Afterward, team officials said that the injury had been diagnosed as a sprain and that Little's status would be determined on a day-to-day basis.
A LITTLE REHAB WORK
Defensive tackle Adam Carriker (ankle) and wide receivers Donnie Avery (foot) and Tim Carter (groin) did individual work. Carriker also participated briefly in team drills.
"All that was just rehab, and then you shut them down," Spagnuolo said. "Right now, we're not ready to make any estimations of when they would be back."
The Rams refused to make any of the three players available to reporters Monday.
Quarterback Marc Bulger (finger), guard Jacob Bell (concussion), running back Kenneth Darby (knee) and wide receiver Brooks Foster (ankle) remain sidelined.
BATTLE AT TACKLE
Spagnuolo hinted that when he does return, Carriker — a starter since the Rams made him their first-round draft pick in 2007 — will have to contend with Gary Gibson for the first-team spot alongside Clifton Ryan.
"I think Adam will have his work cut out for him, but he's a good football player," Spagnuolo said. "We'll let everybody battle it out and we'll see what happens by the time we get to Seattle" for the regular-season opener Sept. 13.
Carriker was injured Aug. 7 in a scrimmage at Lindenwood.
BOLLER SEES PROGRESS
Kyle Boller, promoted to first-team quarterback after Bulger was hurt Aug. 17, said he's becoming more comfortable in his new role.
"I'm doing good, just continuing to work with the guys, the receivers with the timing, getting comfortable with (center) Jason (Brown) and the offensive line — all the little things of just getting back into it," Boller said. "Each practice gets a little bit better."
Boller, who started 42 games during six seasons in Baltimore, was signed as a free agent in the offseason. In Friday's 20-13 preseason loss to Atlanta, he completed nine of 16 passes for 91 yards, without an interception.
The first-team offense hasn't produced a touchdown in two games, and Boller indicated that would be the unit's focus Thursday night in Cincinnati.
"We've got to finish drives ... put the ball in the end zone and score points; that's how you win games," he said. "I think our guys are going to take this game very seriously. This is our next opportunity."
RAM-BLINGS
The open practices during training camp drew 10,400 spectators to Rams Park. ... Wide receiver Nate Jones made two acrobatic catches, including a diving grab in the end zone, in 11-on-11 "team" drills. ... Adeyanju and rookie tackle Phil Trautwein scuffled briefly during one-on-one work. A few punches were thrown, but, as usual, no damage was done.
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