Aug 18, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive back Rodney McLeod (38) recovers a fumble against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams defeated the Chiefs 3-17. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Scott Rovak-US PRESSWIRE

Compared to years past, the Rams have been the picture of health this preseason. Although some players have missed significant time up to this point, we have still yet to have a significant injury. Earlier in the week, numerous sources cited the expected comeback of a large group of players, including projected starter Scott Wells cautiously returning after a knee scope. In addition to Wells, a number of players that are battling for the starting spot were expected to return, including Darian Stewart, Bradley Fletcher, and Brandon Gibson.

With all of these returns, many expected a shake in up in the depth charts, specifically on the defensive side of the ball. There have been some changes, but not the ones they might have expected. In the absence of Bradley Fletcher, Trumaine Johnson and Josh Gordy were taking a majority of reps at the nickel corner position; that is, until the Rams unexpectedly shipped Gordy to the Colts. To fill in the slot left vacant by the trade, the Rams surprisingly picked up the 2008 sixth overall pick, Vernon Gholston to add to the defensive line rotation.

Rams beat writer Jim Thomas tweeted out late Thursday a number of updates, most of which were bad news for the so-far, relatively healthy Rams.

Safeties Craig Dahl (leg soreness), Darian Stewart (hamstring) do not work Thursday; undrafted rookie Rodney McLeod could start vs Dallas.

— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) August 23, 2012

 

For those of us hoping to see more of Craig Dahl on the sideline, we got our wish. However, most expected the additional bench time to come as a result of Darian Stewart’s return, not because of additional injuries. Rams Nation will now likely watch a pair of UDFA, Daniels and McLeod, get some first team reps alongside Quintell Mikell. With Gordy gone, the Rams secondary is now extremely young, since the first team will likely be featuring rookies Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson in addition to whoever get the reps at safety.

Jim Thomas continued to tweet out a the injury list, this time featuring some previously unmentioned names,

Also not practicing for Rams on Thurs: WR Danario Alexander, DE Jamaar Jarrett, DE Eugene Sims, DT Darell Scott, and DE Trevor Laws.

— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) August 23, 2012

 

At this point, fans are far more surprised to see DX on the field than off of it. However, the addition of the four defensive lineman is a bit worrisome,  although it may shed a little more light on the Vernon Gholston acquisition. DT Trevor Laws was brought in during the offseason with Kendall Langford, and prior to the drafting of Michael Brockers, was expected to battle for the other starting DT sport left open after the departure of Bannon and Robbins. With Brockers handling the starting role and DTs Cudjo and Conrath playing well in the preseason, Laws has somewhat faded into the background, seeing most of his reps in rotation on the second and third teams. Thomas later revealed more details about the specifics of the injuries, noting that DT Darrell Scott will likely miss the rest of preseason, but that DE Eugene Sims’ injury, which was feared to be a high ankle injury, does not appear to be too serious. The Rams defensive line rotation has been one of the most impressive units thus far in preseason, but injuries can quickly change that.

It wasn’t all bad news, with Jim Thomas confirming a couple of players that were projected to return this week,

CB Bradley Fletcher (rib) returns to practice, gets reps in 11-on-11. WR Brandon Gibson (hamstring) also gets a little work in 11-on-11.

— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) August 23, 2012

 

This week, we will be get the chance to see a plethora of new talent, primarily on the defensive side of the ball. It should be interesting to see how the young secondary players handle Tony Romo, although he will be coming in without a majority of his receiving core, including TE Jason Witten. It should also be interesting to see how the defensive line performs against the shaky Dallas offensive line, especially new acquisition Vernon Gholston. All in all, the injury report is not that bad, especially in comparison to other teams. The Rams should use this week to get the young guys some additional reps and let the walking wounded heal up before Week 1 against the Detroit Lions.

May 23, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar (58) and guard Harvey Dahl (62) scuffle as teammates attempt to break it up during an OTA at ContinuityX Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-US PRESSWIRE

As far as the St. Louis Rams’ luck goes, we are fairing pretty well on the injury front. While teams like the Cleveland Browns and San Franscisco 49ers continue to be decimated by injuries, the Rams have remained relatively unscathed going into the third bout of the preseason. Prior to the Week 2 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, there were only a couple of notable injuries pestering the defensive side of the ball. Darian Stewart (hamstring) and Bradley Fletcher (rib) were inactive, both of whom have yet to take the field in a preseason game. On the offensive side of the ball, the Rams held out Scott Wells, Danario Alexander, and Brandon Gibson. Well it is now Monday; another day, another week of football. How are the Rams doing on the injury front…

Jim Thomas tweeted out Saturday night that Brian Quick had been taken to the locker room for x-rays on his back. It was later revealed what Quick had suffered from “back spasms.” Nick Wagner reported that, according to Coach Fisher, the injury should not keep Quick out for any substantial amount of time. That should be a sigh of relief for those expecting, or at least hoping, that Quick will be the lost awaited replacement to the Torry Holt throne.

Fisher on Thursday noted that he did not see Wells’ injury plaguing him any further than “this weekend,” a sediment which he echoed on Sunday. According to that same report by Wagner, Fisher expects Brandon Gibson, Darian Stewart, and Scott Wells back this week.

One of the big names you see absent from that list is the oft-injured Danario Alexander, whose chances at grasping a spot on the final roster are dwendling with every passing day. Alexander, who is still nursing a nagging hamstring injury, it continuing to fall down the depth chart in an extremely crowded wide receiver field. For now, I wouldn’t expect him back this week… which means we might not be seeing him come the Aug. 31 roster cuts.

In addition to Darian Stewart, the Rams should be expecting back Bradley Fletcher, who has been held out with a rib injury sustained prior to Week 1 against the Colts. Both players have yet to see the field, while, in limited time, Josh Gordon, Jerome Murphy, Trumaine Johnson have impressed as replacements. Craig Dahl, aside from his Week 1 gaffe that led to Andrew Luck’s “real” first touchdown pass in the NFL, has held his own alongside Quintin Mikell. With Fletcher back, it is now a crowded field fighting for the nickelback, or third cornerback, spot on the defense. The one problem a team loves to have at the start of the regular season is having too many quality cornerbacks on the roster. After last season’s injury epidemic, I am sure it is a welcome competition in the Rams’ secondary.

Ryan Van Bibber, editor at TurfShowTimes, breaks down what each of the returns might mean this week during practice; a must read! Bibber talks about not only the implications in the secondary, but how the return of Scott Wells may cause a drastic shake-up of the interior lineman. With all of the “back-ups” playing recognizably well, it should be interesting to see who will get the majority of reps with the first team, and where each player may be getting those reps. STLToday.com writer Jeff Gordon also touches on the  impressive showing from the “replacement” lineman, giving a lot of credit to Robert Turner and Barry Richardson, who has, so far, beat out Jason Smith for the starting job.

As far as injuries go, no news is good news! So, lets hope we continue to not hear much from Rams Camp this season.

May 23, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams running back Daryl Richardson (26) catches the ball during an OTA at ContinuityX Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-US PRESSWIRE

Tuesday was another good day for the Rams at training camp, as they got some guys back from injuries and saw some impressive performances by others. Rookie RB Daryl Richardson was on the field, as was Rodger Saffold and Scott Wells, although Wells was limited. Also, Robert Quinn continued to impress everyone in attendance with his performance. Here is what coach Jeff Fisher had to say after practice.

“You know what? Practice was good. We got Daryl Richardson back, which is good. He had been working the last few days, we got him acclimated, and looks like that injury is behind him. Good to see him back in there doing some things, been clearly paying attention and really didn’t have any problems in there. Good to have him back. Got a lot done. They battled through the heat and just pushed right through it. We got better today. He has great speed vision, very explosive, he’s tough, he can run inside, he can run outside. He runs the entire offense. He gives us speed, he can get to the edge and set up the outside zone. He got good tracking ability on the inside zone, and good vision.”

On Quinn
“I am kind of just hoping that thing carries over in the games. It kind of reminds me of a little bit – even though you’re going to think I’m crazy about the comparison – but a little bit about (Titans running back) Chris Johnson’s rookie year in training camp when you said, ‘Gosh, if this was a game do you think he’d score?’ And I am thinking, ‘Well if this is a game, he should have a few sacks by the time the game is over’. He has really improved.”

On Saffold
“He’s good. He fought through a little minor pull, and he got back in there and is doing fine. Learning, playing physical, and he and (Robert) Quinn are working good together right now.”

(On having Saffold go up against a guy like Quinn)
“Well, it helps both of our tackles. Our offensive line is getting better because the talent level their lining up against and vice versa. Its good for Robert (Quinn) to work against Rodger (Saffold). They come in, they put in a days work and they learn, they help each other.”