Jake Long unlikely to return for preseason week 2

The St. Louis Rams are expecting to get their front five starting offensive linemen back together real soon. But it's not going to happen for this Saturday's preseason game against the Green Bay Packers. Left tackle Jake Long is expected to miss that game.

Don't expect LT Jake Long (knee) to play Saturday vs @packers. Return coming later vs Browns or Dolphins

— Alex Marvez (@alexmarvez) August 13, 2014

All along the plan has been to get Long on the field for the first week of the regular season, and he's still on track for that. The preseason reps would be nice, but there's no reason to push him for a meaningless exhibition game.

Rodger Saffold could also be missing from the starting offense on Saturday. He sat out again at Tuesday's practice, recovering from a stinger. That's not a major injury, but given Saffold's injury history, anything that keeps him off the field is a concern.

We'll have to wait and see on Scott Wells. Like Long, he practiced plenty this week, but the Rams could elect to be cautious with another oft-injured veteran.