Injured Rams starters have hurdles to clear even after they return

by Ryan Van Bibber on Aug 24, 2009 10:53 AM CDT in 2009 St. Louis Rams preseason

It's incredibly good news for the Rams that #1 WR Donnie Avery is running at full speed. It's been just slightly over two weeks since he was hurt in the team scrimmage. The broken bone in Avery's foot was expected to keep him out four to six weeks. If he plays against the Chiefs in the Rams final preseason game on September 3, he'll be back in action in just under 4 weeks. How cautious should the Rams be with Avery? They're being extremely cautious with all of their injured players...which is good.

DT Adam Carriker is back doing individual drills. How soon he'll be back remains to be seen. The former first round pick is carrying plenty of expectations into the season, so he needs as much time as he can get to quell the doubts facing him.

LG Jacob Bell is a successful concussion test away from returning to action. He's another one that has lots of work to overcome first impressions.

Poll

Should the Rams let Donnie Avery play in the preseason or be cautious with him and wait until the regular season starts?

Yes - let him play

69 votes

No - better safe than sorry

183 votes

252 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I voted yes for Game 4

If he practices after the Cincy game and the coaches think he’s going full speed, I say throw him in the mix.

Your uncle molests collies.

by 3k on Aug 24, 2009 12:17 PM CDT reply actions

No Way

The Rams aren’t going to be dominating this year, so there is no reason why he’d play in a game that doesn’t even matter. He can get more experience during the regular season. He may not feel pain (and as such be able to run full speed), but that doesn’t mean the bone is completely healed.

Don’t chance it!

just my 2 cents.

Spagamania is in full bloom

by Eric Nagel on Aug 24, 2009 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions

He would only play a quarter or so.

Given our offensive play, that’s maybe a dozen plays. I can see him sitting, but I wouldn’t be against letting him play in the final preseason game, especially (as I said) if the coaches think he’s near-100%

Your uncle molests collies.

by 3k on Aug 24, 2009 5:45 PM CDT up reply actions

I see where you are coming from but I just wouldn’t chance it. Especially if he’s supposed to be our great hope at WR.

Is a dozen plays really worth the chance of re-injuring his foot? All it takes is someone to step on it, or some freak accident. With the luck of this team, it could easily happen.

Spagamania is in full bloom

by Eric Nagel on Aug 24, 2009 10:45 PM CDT up reply actions