Rams Injury Update: Bartell Fractures Neck, SJ39 Likely Out

The injury news for the Rams on Monday had a little bit over everything. It had some news that was better than we expected, and it had some that was significantly worse. Let’s start with the bad news. CB Ron Bartell will likely miss the rest of the season with a two-level fracture in his neck. The team called the injury a stinger on Sunday, but they found the fracture during test today. Obviously, when it comes to neck injuries you start to think less about when he will return to the field and more about if it will affect his everyday life. These things are scary, but it sounds as if it could have been worse.

As far as Steven Jackson goes, Coach Spags said he expects SJ39 to miss Monday’s game against the Giants with a strained quad. Jackson said on “The Fast Lane” today that he is not ruling himself out, but I would be very surprised if he sees the field. It doesn’t sounds like this is anything too serious, but it should force him to miss some time. Sam Bradford has been diagnosed with a bruised right index finger, and he says he will play against the Giants. Jason Smith has a low ankle sprain, which is far less serious than we originally thought. He is day-to-day, and it looks like he could be back this week. Bradley Fletcher has a sprained toe, and he is day-to-day as well.

CJ Ah You is dealing with a wrist injury, but he should be able to play this week with a brace, and Spags said they expect to get Illini Mike back this week from his calf injury. Rodger Saffold has a leg contusion and he is day-to-day as well, but he should be fine.

Obviously, the injury news is highly disappointing. Losing Bartell for a long period of time is going to severely hurt this defense, and if Amendola misses significant time the offense will suffer as well. I’m a littler concerned about Bradford’s finger, but I guess we will just have to see how things go on Monday. SJ39 is a tough dude, so if he doesn’t play this week I would say he will be fine after that, but with those leg injuries you never know. Spags sounded concerned about Fletcher and his toe, and with out lack of depth in the secondary it could be devastating if he misses time. Other guys are going to have to step up, and now we will see if this really is a deeper roster than we have had over the last few years.