Thompson has injury setback
August 12th, 2007 | by Kevin Morris |
By
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
The timing could hardly be worse for the Rams’ Dominique Thompson. Impressive
during training camp and embroiled in a tight race for the final wide receiver
spot on the roster, Thompson now will sit for at least a couple of weeks.
Thompson suffered two displaced ribs in Friday’s 13-10 exhibition victory at
Minnesota. He was injured in the third quarter when safety Mike Doss drilled
him on his lower right side after a 9-yard gain on an end-around.
Before the extent of the injury was known, Thompson returned to the game. “That
was a tribute to his ability to handle that,” coach Scott Linehan said. “It had
to be extremely painful.”
Thompson, Marques Hagans and rookie Derek Stanley are the main contenders for a
job on the 53-man roster, but newcomer Fred Gibson will get a look, too.
Thompson can’t further his cause on the sideline, but Linehan assured that he
won’t be forgotten.
“It’s going to give other guys opportunities, but it doesn’t dispel our
feelings about him,” Linehan said. “He’s done enough at this point where if he
were to be in that spot that he’s competing for, he’d do a nice job.”
Thompson, who also caught a 4-yard pass, spent most of the past two seasons on
the Rams’ practice squad.
INJURY UPDATE
The Rams’ other injuries were minor:
— Rookie running back Brian Leonard suffered bruised ribs but is expected to
practice today.
— Cornerback Jonathan Wade took a shot to the head but will practice if he
passes a neurological exam Sunday morning.
— Wide receiver Dane Looker was kneed on the lower back and probably will be
limited for a couple of days.
— Defensive tackle La’Roi Glover reinjured his hip in pregame warm-ups and
didn’t play.
Others with previous injuries who didn’t suit up were wideout/returner Dante
Hall (hamstring), linebacker Tim McGarigle (hamstring), tackle Ken Shackleford
(knee) and linebacker Raonall Smith (shoulder).
CLOSED PRACTICE
Upon further review of the weather forecast, which calls for a high temperature
of about 100 degrees, the club has decided to close Sunday afternoon’s practice
to the public.
“We’re 50-50 whether we’re going to be inside or outside,” Linehan explained,
“and if we move indoors, we don’t want to disappoint fans who are planning on
coming and then see that they can’t get in.”
Access to the public will be determined day by day this week, Linehan added.
“Hopefully there will be a break in the weather or the humidity goes down,” he
said. “If we go out (Sunday), there’s a pretty good chance we’ll stay out all
week. That’s our plan for right now.”
ON PACE
Left tackle Orlando Pace, recovering from triceps surgery, participated in his
first “live” action in almost nine months. He was with the first-team offense
for its two first-quarter series.
“He’s slowly but surely getting back to form,” offensive coordinator Greg Olson
said. “At the start of training camp, he was somewhat reluctant to use that
left arm. But as camp’s progressed, he’s become more and more comfortable with
it. We saw him using his left arm (vs. the Vikings), and there were no
limitations there. So, we’re excited about that.”
RAM-BLINGS
Linehan said the Rams are interested in defensive end Simeon Rice, a former
Illinois standout and three-time Pro Bowler, and might bring him to Rams Park
for a visit. Rice, 34, recently was released by Tampa Bay. … Four Rams
quarterbacks completed passes to 17 receivers — 15 of them teammates. …
Linebacker Quinton Culberson, an undrafted rookie, continues to impress. “He’s
got a natural nose for the football,” defensive coordinator Jim Haslett said.
“Even when he doesn’t know what the hell he’s doing, he makes a tackle.”
