Rams Injury Report Leaves Team Short At Defensive Tackle

Just as we suspected, the St. Louis Rams will be shorthanded in the middle of their defensive line. Michael Brockers, Matt Conrath and Darell Scott are all listed as out on Friday's injury report and will not play this week against the Detroit Lions.

Brockers and Scott we knew would likely be out this week. There was some hope that Conrath, who was also injured in the Ravens game last week, would be able to play. This most likely means that newly added Kellen Heard will get the start aside Kendall Langford in the middle. Jermelle Cudjo will be in the mix for plenty of snaps as well.

This is a really big opportunity for Cudjo. He had a solid training camp, picking up where he left off as an undrafted rookie in 2010, when he surprised fans and the previous coaching staff with his play.

Heard is a known commodity to defensive line coach Mike Waufle, who worked with him for a season in Oakland.

Regardless of who starts next to Langford, the Rams will have only three defensive tackles on the roster for this week's game. That will limit their ability to run a fresh rotation through. If one of those players were to suffer an injury, it could put them in a pickle for Week 2.