Tuesday, Sep. 29, 2009

Injuries begin to add up for Rams

Robinson likely to miss remainder of the campaign

ST. LOUIS -- An already inexperienced St. Louis Rams receiving corps got even greener with the loss of Laurent Robinson to a high ankle sprain and broken bone in his right leg.

Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said Robinson will undergo surgery for the break high on his fibula. He'll likely be lost for the season.

Robinson was acquired in a trade with the Atlanta Falcons this offseason.

Rams general manager Billy Devaney was familiar with Robinson from his two seasons with the Falcons.

Robinson was the Rams' leading receiver this season with 13 catches for 167 yards and one touchdown.

"The whole wealth of his work preseason and regular, I thought he has done an excellent job," Spagnuolo said. "He was a tremendous addition to this team. It was a good move by Billy when he pulled the trigger on that. Unfortunately for us, and him, we're probably not going to have him for the rest of the season."

Robinson was injured when the pile rolled up on him from behind on a run by Steven Jackson with 1:41 left in the third quarter of the Rams' 36-17 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

"I usually pick my knees up when the pile is coming, but I just didn't feel it coming," Robinson said after the game. "Usually, you can feel stuff coming from behind. Stuff happens."

With Robinson out, the rest of the Rams' receiving corps will need to step up their play.

Donnie Avery has 10 catches for 62 yards this season, while Keenan Burton has six catches for 80 yards this season.

"I just hope to make plays when they come to me," said Burton, who had three receptions for 37 yards against the Packers. "Do what my coaches ask me to do, and make plays for the guy that's pulling the trigger. That's the best thing I can do, just go out and constantly compete."

Danny Amendola, a return specialist, and Ruvell Martin also will asked to contribute even though they've been with the team less than two weeks.

Spagnuolo said the Rams will need to add another wide receiver to their active roster.

An X-ray on Avery's ribs came back negative.

Spagnuolo said Avery is sore, but he's expected to be available this Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.

Strong safety James Butler has a third-degree sprain to the MCL in his knee. The injury won't require surgery, but he'll be sidelined 2-4 weeks.

Craig Dahl will start in Butler's place. Dahl, making his return from a hamstring injury that sidelined him the Rams' first two games, had a team-high seven tackles after replacing Butler in the first quarter against the Packers.

"Very solid," Spagnuolo said of Dahl's play against the Packers. "It was kind of nice to know that you can put a guy in there with limited reps, and again, he was fighting an injury thing, so he had even less. But, he knew the calls, he knew what he was doing, he made some plays for us, he had a lot of tackles. It's nice to have that."

Linebacker David Vobora suffered a concussion against the Packers. He'll undergo the usual neuropsych test today, and that'll determine if he'll be able to practice.

Spagnuolo said defensive tackle Gary Gibson has a leg injury that is being checked out.

Cornerback Ron Bartell is battling a sore thigh, while linebacker James Lauranaitis has a sore shoulder.

Spagnuolo classified rookie right tackle Jason Smith as questionable for the 49ers. Smith missed the Rams' game against the Packers due to a sprained knee.