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After 97 consecutive games played - all for the St. Louis Rams - defensive end Chris Long will miss some time after undergoing ankle surgery on Thursday. He’ll likely miss 8-10 weeks of action.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>One Virginia Cavalier replaces another:DE Chris Long (ankle) officially on IR/designated to return list with DT Matt Conrath promoted to 53.</p>— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) <a href="https://twitter.com/nwagoner/status/510166324681527296">September 11, 2014</a></blockquote>
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To fill his spot, the Rams bumped another University of Virginia graduate, Matt Conrath, to the 53-man roster. Conrath is no stranger to the Rams’ locker room. In 2012, the Rams signed him as an undrafted free agent, and he’s been a Ram since. He's listed on the Rams’ official depth chart as a defensive tackle.
Having been promoted to the game-day roster, the Rams had an opportunity to add a body to their practice squad. They brought back DE Kourtnei Brown, an UDFA out of Clemson in 2012. Brown has spent time with the 49ers and Redskins since entering the NFL. Most recently, he was released by the Bills in April 2014, but was quickly claimed by the Lions. He was then waived by the Lions on May 30th, and signed with the Rams on July 25th.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>DE Kourtnei Brown, who was in Rams training camp, is signed to the practice squad spot created by Conrath's promotion.</p>— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) <a href="https://twitter.com/jthom1/status/510162156860366848">September 11, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Exciting stuff, I know. There are no other defensive ends that come to mind that might prove useful in a situation like this. None. There are no former Co-MVP’s of the best conference in all of college football that might be familiar with the Rams’ defense that could assist. There are no Cowboys practice squad players, who may or may not have had three sacks for the Rams in the preseason, that could sub in at this point.
Kourtnei Brown it is...