Foot injury could sideline Donnie Avery for up to six weeks

ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis Rams wide receiver Donnie Avery likely will miss four to six weeks with a foot injury.

After the Rams' Sunday morning practice, Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said that an X-ray of Avery's foot was negative, but he would undergo a precautionary MRI.

Spagnuolo later revealed that the MRI turned up something more serious, but he didn't disclose the nature of the injury other than to say that Avery could be sidelined up to six weeks.

Spagnuolo said Avery suffered the injury during the team's scrimmage Friday night.

"When he woke up yesterday morning, it felt tender,'' Spagnuolo said.

Avery was chosen in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft out of the University of Houston. He was the first wide receiver taken in the draft.

Avery was the Rams' second-leading receiver last season, catching 53 passes for 674 yards and three touchdowns. He was expected to assume an even greater role this season after Torry Holt was released and subsequently signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Avery's injury makes the battle for playing time even more competitive among the large group of young wide receivers on the Rams' roster.

That group includes Keenan Burton, another member of the Rams' 2008 draft class, Laurent Robinson and Ronald Curry.

More injury news

Safety Eric Bassey, a valuable special teams player last season, suffered a season-ending knee injury during the team's scrimmage Friday.

Bassey was placed on waivers Sunday. If he clears waivers, he'll be placed on the Rams' injured reserve list.

Bassey suffered a torn ACL in his right knee playing on special teams during the scrimmage at Lindenwood University.

"When he was running down, I think he got his legs crossed up with a couple of other guys,'' Spagnuolo said. "That's the risk that you run. That was actually a 'thud' period. It wasn't live.

"Guys get tangled up, and you have a knee injury. It's a sad thing for Eric, but he'll bounce back.''

Bassey, a third-year player out of the University of Oklahoma, played in 10 games last season. He had 13 special teams tackles.

Defensive tackle Adam Carriker has an ankle injury. He's considered day-to-day, but Spagnuolo said he could be sidelined for a couple of weeks.

Safety Craig Dahl has a hamstring injury. He's also day-to-day, according to Spagnuolo.

Defensive end Leonard Little was pulled out of the live tackling period Sunday after tweaking his neck.

Fullback Mike Karney, who has been sidelined with a sprained ankle, did some work during individual drills.

Gibson works with starters

With Carriker sidelined, fourth-year defensive tackle Gary Gibson was working with the starting defense during practice Sunday.

The 6-foot-3, 300-pound Gibson has played in 12 games with 11 tackles during his NFL career.

"Gary is a workhorse,'' Spagnuolo said. "He hasn't missed a thing. He's one of those guys that is going to try not to miss anything. He's a pretty intelligent defensive lineman, so we'll see how that works out there.''

Gibson was simply glad for the opportunity.

"It's always nice to be running with the starting group,'' Gibson said. "I feel good out there. I'm just trying to do what the coaches all the way up are telling me to do.

"I'm just trying to work my way up the ladder.''

Gibson spent the 2007 and 2008 seasons with the Carolina Panthers. Rams defensive coordinator Ken Flajole was the linebackers coach with the Panthers during Gibson's tenure there.

"He knows what I can do,'' Gibson said of Flajole. "He's a big reason I'm out here.''

Gibson was a teammate of former Rams running back Brian Leonard at Rutgers University. Leonard was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals on May 7.

"I'm actually staying in his house right now while he's trying to sell it,'' Gibson said of Leonard. "He's doing real well.''