Turf Show Times - Michael Brockers could return for Week 4https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51333/tst-fav.png2012-09-30T10:51:57-05:00http://www.turfshowtimes.com/rss/stream/31707072012-09-30T10:51:57-05:002012-09-30T10:51:57-05:00Brockers is back; Pead, Smith out this week
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<figcaption>Jeff Curry-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire</figcaption>
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<p>The St. Louis Rams made a few notable lineup changes for Week 4.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">St. Louis Rams</a>' inactives list includes a few surprises on it for this week's game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a>. The biggest change is that <span>Michael Brockers</span> is playing. On the bench this week are <span>Isaiah Pead</span> and Steve Smith. </p>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Rams">#Rams</a> inactives: QB Davis, WR S. Smith, RB Pead, S Daniels, DT Conrath, T Saffold, DT Cudjo.</p>
— St. Louis Rams (@STLouisRams) <a href="https://twitter.com/STLouisRams/status/252432078271041536" data-datetime="2012-09-30T15:37:52+00:00">September 30, 2012</a>
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<p>Brockers' return is a real addition for the Rams, giving them some power up front in the middle of their defensive line. They need every advantage they can get against the Seahawks. Hopefully his ankle holds up just fine, though his snaps could be somewhat limited. </p>
<p>Pead's fall from grace now includes his first appearance on the inactive list, in a week where Steven Jackson is limited with a groin injury. <span>Daryl Richardson</span> will see some extra work, and fellow rookie <span>Terrance Ganaway</span> might get a few snaps as a power option for the Rams. </p>
<p>Steve Smith out puts <span>Brian Quick</span> in the active lineup, after being out last week. Will the Rams call on his size against a big Seattle secondary? They just might have to, and <span>Austin Pettis</span> gives them another big man in the rotation. </p>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Seahawks">#Seahawks</a> inactives against <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Rams">#Rams</a>: WR Martin, DB Guy, OL Moffit, CB Gorrer, CB Maxwell, DT Howard, DT Branch.</p>
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_RealUpdates) <a data-datetime="2012-09-30T15:43:44+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/NFL_RealUpdates/status/252433554888343552">September 30, 2012</a>
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<p>Seattle is without <span>Alan Branch</span>, a starter on their deep defensive line.</p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2012/9/30/3432564/rams-vs-seahawks-inactives-michael-brockers-alan-branchRyan Van Bibber2012-09-27T15:44:27-05:002012-09-27T15:44:27-05:00Good news, bad news on the Rams' injury report
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<p>Michael Brockers continues to inch closer to playing this week, but there were concerns elsewhere on the St. Louis Rams' injury report. </p> <p><span>Michael Brockers</span> swam moved one step closer to a return on Thursday. After making his regular season practice debut on Wednesday, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">St. Louis Rams</a>' first-round pick was back in action for a second day, albeit in a role officially listed as limited. </p>
<p>He still expects to play this week, though that could change between now and game day, especially since he himself admitted that his ankle was not back to 100 percent. Brockers suffered an ankle sprain against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Ravens</a> in the fourth and final game of the preseason. </p>
<p>There is likely to be plenty more rough play in the trenches on Sunday against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seahawks</a>. The reality is, however, that few football players are truly 100 percent during course of the season. So long as Brockers still has most of his incredible strength, the Rams defensive line should be able to more than hold its own against the Seahawks. </p>
<p>Elsewhere on the injury front, left tackle <span>Wayne Hunter</span> was limited in practice on Thursday. Hunter might be the Rams' best offensive tackle at this point in the season, cause for concern in and of itself. Fielding a team without him against a powerful, fast Seattle defensive line could be costly for quarterback <span>Sam Bradford</span>. </p>
<p>Defensive tackle <span>Matt Conrath</span> did not practice, putting his status for this week in doubt. A raw undrafted rookie free agent, the Rams could still use some depth on their defensive line rotation. </p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2012/9/27/3419474/michael-brockers-rams-injury-reportRyan Van Bibber2012-09-26T20:13:29-05:002012-09-26T20:13:29-05:00What kind of impact will Brockers' return have?
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<p>The St. Louis Rams' defensive line is getting some welcome relief this week with the return of Michael Brockers. </p> <p><span>Michael Brockers</span> will be a welcome site in the middle of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">St. Louis Rams</a> defensive line, this week, or next, or whenever he actually does get back into the mix. The Rams' first-round pick, No. 14 overall, has been on the shelf with an ankle sprain since the last week of the regular season, but he is back on the practice field and one step closer to picking up where he left off, which happens to be in a very good spot said head coach Jeff Fisher. </p>
<p>"Yes, he was coming on," Fisher said of Brockers' preseason progress. "[He] got a little tired there at training camp, but he improved since the rookie minicamp all the way through camp. Coach Waufle is doing a great job with the hands and the pass rush and all those kinds of things."</p>
<p>The LSU product surprised everyone when he declared for the 2012 NFL Draft as a red shirt sophomore. The draft advisory committee, typically stingy with its prospect rankings for underclassmen, gave him a first-round grade. Watch his tape at LSU, and it's not hard to remember the kind of excitement his selection was for Rams fans anxious to see a good defensive line evolve into a great one. </p>
<p>"If he's back and able to play, he would have an impact on our front from a pass rush standpoint and as a run defender," Fisher said. "Now he's, obviously, clearly behind because he has missed some valuable time, but he's very talented. That's why he's here."</p>
<p>Brockers isn't too far behind, though. The Rams have kept him working while he recovered from the ankle sprain suffered in the fourth week of the preseason, on an illegal block by a Baltimore lineman. </p>
<p>"He's been studying," Fisher acknowledged. "He knows exactly what to do. He's maintained his upper body strength throughout, so he should be in good shape when he returns."</p>
<p>If Brockers does get on the field in Week 4, his reps might be limited. After all, the rookie himself acknowledged that his ankle was not quite at 100 percent. Even as part of a rotation, that talent should give the interior line a boost in the power department and help keep all of the linemen fresh throughout the game. </p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2012/9/26/3414890/michael-brockers-st-louis-ramsRyan Van Bibber2012-09-26T15:00:14-05:002012-09-26T15:00:14-05:00Brockers says he'll play this week
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<p>There was a stranger on the practice field Wednesday at Rams Park. Defensive tackle <span>Michael Brockers</span> joined his teammates, on a limited basis, for the first time since suffering an ankle sprain in the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams" class="sbn-auto-link">St. Louis Rams</a> preseason finale. The news signals that the first-round pick is giant leap closer to returning to the game day lineup.</p>
<p>Brockers himself said that he expects to play this week against the <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Seattle Seahawks</a>. That decision might have to wait. He also admitted that the ankle was not fully healed. Head coach Jeff Fisher said that the Rams would have a better idea about Brockers' availability later in the week. It could still come down to a game-time decision.</p>
<p>Fisher would certainly like to have Brockers back in the lineup. Not only does the LSU product provide some serious heft against the run, his power could help the defensive line get more push in the middle. So far, pressure from inside has been hard to find, and most of the heavy lifting is being done by <span>Chris Long</span> who leads all NFL 4-3 defensive ends in total quarterback pressure.</p>
<p>Defensive tackle <span>Matt Conrath</span> also practiced today, which means the Rams could have a much larger rotation of players this week.</p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2012/9/26/3413262/michael-brockers-injury-ramsRyan Van Bibber2012-09-24T14:10:53-05:002012-09-24T14:10:53-05:00Michael Brockers injury: Rams DT to return 'Soon'
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<figcaption>Jeff Curry-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire</figcaption>
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<p>The St. Louis Rams could have Michael Brockers back in action next week. </p> <p>It's not all bad news on Monday for the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams" class="sbn-auto-link">St. Louis Rams</a>. The team could see some familiar faces in uniform very soon with defensive tackles <span>Michael Brockers</span> and <span>Matt Conrath</span> on the road to recovery. In fact, Brockers could return in time for Week 4 against Seattle.</p>
<p>The Rams official web site shared that news following Sunday's loss to the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bears</a>.</p>
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<p>That means that DTs Michael Brockers and Matt Conrath could be back in the mix next week. Brockers, in particular, seems to be on track. He actually went through a pre-game warmup workout with strength coach Rock Gullickson. It looks good for the prized rookie's return sooner than later.</p>
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<p>Brockers' return to the defense line would be a huge boost for the unit, a unit that has struggled to generate much pressure against opposing offensive linemen.</p>
<p>Through the first two games of the season, the Rams had just two sacks. They now have four. Pressure stats differ from charting service to charting service. The Rams had six total hits on the quarterback in Week 3 to go with those two sacks. <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.profootballfocus.com%2Fdata%2Fcstats.php%3Ftab%3Dby_team%26season%3D2012%26teamid%3D26%26stype%3Da%26stats%3Dd&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.turfshowtimes.com%2F2012%2F9%2F24%2F3383928%2Fmichael-brockers-injury-rams" target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">According to Pro Football Focus</a>, they had just four hits and 15 hurries through two games. <span>Chris Long</span> accounted for 10 hurries and two hits. <span>Robert Quinn</span> had two sacks, thanks to Long pushing things his direction.</p>
<p>Brockers' return helps things, giving the middle of the line more heft, and hopefully drawing in an extra blocker to handle him. The hope is that <span>Kendall Langford</span> can generate some pressure with his partner back in the mix. The run defense should benefit as well.</p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2012/9/24/3383928/michael-brockers-injury-ramsRyan Van Bibber2012-09-21T16:43:20-05:002012-09-21T16:43:20-05:00Michael Brockers shed his walking boot
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<p>Michael Brockers is out of his walking boot and one step closer to returning to the field. </p> <p><span>Michael Brockers</span> is getting closer to returning to the field for the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams" class="sbn-auto-link">St. Louis Rams</a>. The rookie defensive tackle was out of his walking boot at practice on Friday. He even did a little work on the sidelines, but he is still at least a couple weeks away from returning, according to the Post-Dispatch.</p>
<p>Two more weeks would push Brockers into five weeks of the season with his injury. That's a loss for the Rams, but at least there is a clear marker of progress at this point.</p>
<p><span>Matt Conrath</span> did not practice on Friday, and is expected to miss the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bears</a> game. <span>Rodger Saffold</span> is also, obviously, out of action for another month or so. <span>Matt Daniels</span> is the only new(ish) addition to the injury report.</p>
<p><span>Wayne Hunter</span> and <span>Brit Miller</span> did practice, and they are expected to play this week. The Rams are at least getting healthier, but it's essential that they get through the next three weeks without sustaining more injuries on the offensive line and and the defensive line where the depth charts are looking a little thin.</p>
<p>Here's the injury to Brockers:</p>
<p><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1334914/Brockers.gif" target="_blank"><img class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1334914/Brockers_medium.gif" alt="Brockers_medium"></a> <br id="1348263791699"></p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2012/9/21/3370314/michael-brockers-injury-ramsRyan Van Bibber2012-09-19T09:08:22-05:002012-09-19T09:08:22-05:00Michael Brockers Injury: Rams DT Out For Week 3
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<p>It looks like the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">St. Louis Rams</a> will still be without <span>Michael Brockers</span> this week, leaving them short-handed at defensive tackle for what should be a pretty interesting matchup against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a>, a team one Cutler snivel away from collapse.</p>
<p>Nobody is really clear as to whether the Rams' first-round pick has a high-ankle sprain or just a garden variety type sprain. Either way, the hope is now that he can return in Week 4 for a home date against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a>.</p>
<p>St. Louis' defensive line matches up well against the Bears front five even without Brockers. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Packers</a> defense brutalized <span>Jay Cutler</span> last week in a Thursday night embarrassment, sacking the Bears' quarterback seven times.</p>
<p>Sack numbers like that used to be reserved for the Rams, but they have done yeoman's work keeping Bradford healthy this year. The Bears defense will be another stiff test for the Rams, who are already into the reserve linemen.</p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2012/9/19/3357160/michael-brockers-injury-ramsRyan Van Bibber2012-08-31T08:59:57-05:002012-08-31T08:59:57-05:00Michael Brockers Injury: Rams DT In Walking Boot, Week 1 Status Unclear
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<p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams" class="sbn-auto-link">St. Louis Rams</a> defensive tackle <span>Michael Brockers</span> was wearing a walking boot after suffering an ankle injury in Thursday night's preseason game against the <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Baltimore Ravens</a>. His status for Week 1 is up in the air, but the team should know more after an MRI scheduled for Friday.</p>
<p>The hope here is that Brockers does not have a high ankle sprain, an injury Rams fans are intimately familiar with after <span>Sam Bradford</span> dealt with one last season. Early reports said that it was not a high ankle sprain.</p>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/anthonystalter"><s>@</s><b>anthonystalter</b></a> Thanks, but to clarify, not 100% on the sprain. Was told it wasn't believed to be, but will find out for sure tomorrow.</p>
— Brian Stull (@StullySTL) <a href="https://twitter.com/StullySTL/status/241392844441542658" data-datetime="2012-08-31T04:31:53+00:00">August 31, 2012</a>
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<p>Brockers revealed on Twitter last night that he <a href="https://twitter.com/MichaelBrockers/status/241349874115805185" target="_blank">was not able to drive</a>, no surprise since the injury was to his right ankle. He fiance said that <a href="https://twitter.com/foreverFAITH_90/status/241465357498478592" target="_blank">he was in pain with the injury</a>.</p>
<p>The Rams open the season in Detroit in just over a week. GM Les Snead said that finding defensive tackle help was a priority, and that will be especially true given the need to generate pressure against a high flying <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Lions</a> offense.</p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2012/8/31/3282230/michael-brockers-injury-ankle-st-louis-ramsRyan Van Bibber