Bartell plans to play this week, so does KC's Matt Cassel

by Ryan Van Bibber on Dec 15, 2010 2:39 PM CST in 2010 St. Louis Rams season

Ron Bartell, the St. Louis Rams' top corner, plans to play this week against Kansas City.

Ron Bartell was back on the practice field today for the St. Louis Rams. The team's top cornerback, he missed last week's game against New Orleans recovering from a shoulder/arm stinger that left him without enough strength in his arm to play.

Bartell told the media that he plans to play this week.

CB Justin King and backup RB Kenneth Darby were also back in action today. It's still unclear whether or not all three players will be back in action against the Chiefs this week. What Bartell means to the Rams is obvious, as their top overall corner. Darby is an important role player, and the Rams missed his pass blocking on third downs last week. King's speed adds to the nickel package.

The Rams' opponents this week have a big injury question mark in starting QB Matt Cassel, who had an appendectomy just over a week ago. He did some stretching, throwing and jogging at practice for the Chiefs today, but his status for this week is still up in the air.

Tweet Comment 15 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Well

Cassel won’t be completely healthy, and we have our secondary back this week. Our only stuggle will be against the run which I think we can handle.

"Why not just throw an empty glove down at the shortstop position, it would be cheaper and have better range." - justin007000

by OGC Reds on Dec 15, 2010 2:42 PM CST reply actions

I don’t think he could even play. This is an operation that takes about a solid month to heal from so even if he does play, he won’t be effective. Also if he plays Long will just sack him hit him right in the spot of the surgery and he will be out the rest of the year.

I don't love to hate you T.O. I just hate you.

by Brandon Birkhead on Dec 15, 2010 3:09 PM CST reply actions

Big Ben

Was back after two weeks. How tough is Cassel? Not sure. I don’t think this affects the Rams game plan. Blitzes are going to be huge, and if Bartell is really back, then he’ll be on an island with Bowe until Bowe proves he is too much to handle.

by JTPirate on Dec 15, 2010 3:36 PM CST up reply actions

With the way back up QBs burn us, I'd rather him play

lol

by STLfan1 on Dec 15, 2010 4:04 PM CST reply actions

What I was thinking.

Football players, like prostitutes, are in the business of ruining their bodies for the pleasure of strangers. ~Merle Kessler

by mlkgandhiv2k on Dec 15, 2010 4:06 PM CST up reply actions

I'm not gonna lie to you

KC has a bit nervous. Not only is KC a well rounded team but we haven’t been playing well last 2 weeks IMHO. Take what you want from the Cards game, yeah we won, but it was nothing like the fight in Denver. And the N.O.‘s game, forget about it. That game was down right scary. Scary that we could throw up so many errors on one field. With the Niners nipping at our heals, I’ll be highly tuned to the Thursday night game. Go Charger

ps: not even concerned about the Semenhawks.

The only thing comparable to a Rams win is a 49er loss!

by DevsLaRams on Dec 15, 2010 5:19 PM CST reply actions

I wish I could be that sanguine about the 'Hawks.

They’re at home. And though they’re bad, we’re honestly not all that much better. Home field advantage comes close to canceling out the difference.

by Spielman on Dec 15, 2010 7:20 PM CST up reply actions

Something is not right with the Seahawks

They arent as good as earlier in the season. Having Carolina and Arizona in there broke up what would be a 7 game losing streak and they are getting blown out….bad! I know Alex Smith is back and playing like he plays before he starts thinking to much back there…but the 9ers hung 40 on them.

Yeah we lost at the stick also with troy smith but…40 points? wow!

All I want for Christmas is a Pete Carroll scowl on week 17!

by leadhead on Dec 15, 2010 7:46 PM CST up reply actions

They have lost a bunch of WRs

and what they have left is worse than ours. Their QB has no one to throw to – so he throws it to the other team. At least they catch it.

by andyhawk on Dec 15, 2010 10:27 PM CST up reply actions

I honestly don't know why they'd even let him play

I understand the playoffs are a big draw, blah, blah, blah, but this is a man’s health we are talking about. One bad hit, like Brandon said, and he’s in big trouble.

You can even look at Bradford and his golden shoulder. One bad hit, and everyone was scared to see it’ll hold up. And it’s been over a year for him.

Number 8 is great

by Eric Nagel on Dec 15, 2010 5:25 PM CST reply actions

Yeah, it's a stretch and even

if they did let him practice, doesn’t mean he’ll go. Rams still need to prepare as though he will regardless. And I think they will. Spags is buckling down now for this last stretch. I think(hope) it translates onto the field.

"Tamper not, lest the Big Goat Eat."

by Brawnwitch on Dec 15, 2010 7:31 PM CST up reply actions

Suck it chefs. Go rams

by Skunkburner on Dec 15, 2010 9:57 PM CST via mobile reply actions

If he starts

like someone said in one of the comments above, a few good hits will surely get him out of the game.

My worst fear is that we’ll lose the next two games, while the niners somehow claw their way back in and make it to the playoffs. Although they will have earned it and good for them, I’ll still be very bitter about it. Not to mention that due to a bet I made, I’ll have to put up my FB picture as a Niners pic for a week >.<

by Rams07 on Dec 16, 2010 12:16 AM CST reply actions