Rams news, 8/30

(from local reports)

* Rams cut 3: the first victims of the cutdown to 75 at Rams Park were CB Marcus Brown, OT Joe Gibbs and FB Jamie McCoy. I didn't expect McCoy to be one of the early cuts; I thought he'd have a chance at the practice squad. The Rams have two more moves to make by tomorrow; one will be to IR Donnie Avery, and it looks like the other will be to IR Phil Trautwein (see below).

* Injury update: A.J. Feeley has already been ruled out for Thursday night's preseason finale against Baltimore. Daniel Fells also sounds doubtful. Kevin Payne played Thursday night, but from the looks of things, probably shouldn't have. He had a rough game and came out of practice yesterday with continuing knee issues. James Hall was a surprise scratch Thursday night and remains out with a hip flexor problem. Phil Trautwein has a torn ligament in his knee, which will keep him out 6 to 8 weeks and could land him on the IR. Victor Adeyanju and Marquis Johnson were both inactive Thursday. I'm still looking for reports that either has returned to the practice field. Darcy Johnson left the game with an ankle injury but is apparently OK. On the good side, Mardy Gilyard was able to play Thursday night.

And of course, Donnie Avery blew his knee late in the second quarter Thursday night and is done for the season. He will have reconstructive surgery in a couple of weeks.

* Injury list: Victor Adeyanju (lih, knee); Donnie Avery (torn ACL, out for season); James Butler (knee); A.J. Feeley (elbow, thumb); Daniel Fells (hyperextended knee); John Greco (pectoreal); James Hall (hip flexor); Marquis Johnson (lih, shoulder); Kevin Payne (knee); George Selvie (leg); Phil Trautwein (knee); David Vobora (hamstring).

* Player rotations: Sam Bradford will start Thursday night against the Ravens. Still awaiting word on how long he'll be in the game. Steve Spagnuolo is framing the game as much more of a chance for Keith Null and Thaddeus Lewis to compete for the QB3 spot. There are conflicting reports on who's getting the first chance at Avery's starting position between Gilyard and Danny Amendola. Since he's not the rookie of the two, I'd assume Amendola has the edge for now, making Gilyard the slot receiver, where he ought to be comfortable; I think he played a lot of it at Cincinnati.