Rams report, 9/15

Current injury report, with apologies for being unable to update yesterday. Technical issues.

Sam Bradford returned to practice yesterday, a day earlier than expected, and threw without any ill effects. Little doubt now he'll start Monday night. Classy Giants LB Mathias Kiwanuka has already pretty much indicated they'll go after Bradford's finger whenever they can.

Steven Jackson sat out practice Wednesday, and isn't expected to play Monday night, but would like to remind everyone picking up Cadillac Williams in fantasy leagues that he hasn't ruled out playing just yet. Let's call him doubtful for now, vs. out.

Danny Amendola will not be placed on injured reserve. As nasty as his elbow dislocation may have looked, surgery will not be required. Steve Spagnuolo calls his status week-to-week. Most estimates I've seen have him out for a month. Greg Salas will take over Amendola's role on offense. Good luck, rook.

C.J. Ah You had surgery on his wrist yesterday, I'd also call him doubtful for Monday. He did not practice yesterday but will get a chance to see if he can play with a brace on the wrist. What, no cool club? Also, if a hobbled Ah You is active over fresh first-round pick Robert Quinn, you'd really have to question some of the decision-making going on at Rams Park.

Jason Smith and Bradley Fletcher did not practice yesterday but are expected to before long. They're considered day-to-day. Smith had better play a hell of a lot better than he did Sunday.

Ron Bartell went on injured reserve due to fractures in his neck, but he will not require surgery and the injury is not expected to be career-threatening. He'll have to wear a brace on his neck and upper body to immobilize the neck for 2-3 months, then rehab. We'll see him again at next year's OTAs.


* Transactions:
- The Rams read this blog! They re-signed Tim Atchison to replace Bartell. I never thought Atchison should have been cut in the first place. He's in to play corner but will also get reps at safety. The Rams had also worked out Rod Hood yet one more time, along with TERRIBLE cornerbacks Fred Bennett and Nathan Jones. I'd have brought back Travis Fisher before I'd have signed either of those two stiffs.

- Drew Miller was waived from the main roster in favor of RB/return specialist Quinn Porter. The Rams snagged Porter off Cleveland's practice squad, so back atcha, Pat Shurmur. Because Porter came from another team's PS, the Rams are now obliged to keep him on their 53-man roster for three weeks. Porter's necessary because of Jackson's and Amendola's injuries, but I would have dumped Dominique Curry instead of Miller.

- On the practice squad, Chase Reynolds and 7th-round pick Jonathan Nelson were released in favor of QB Tom Brandstater and former Mizzou center Tim Barnes. After Bradford's injury made everyone in the Rams organization poop their pants last week, getting a QB back on the PS was a given. Brandstater's a former project of Josh Danielson's in Denver. Barnes would appear to be guard/center depth to replace Miller, who I don't believe had PS eligibility left. But I don't get cutting Nelson, who played well in preseason.

The Rams current practice squad, which is incorrect on the team website:
Barnes
Brandstater
CB Josh Gordy
FB/TE Ben Guidugli
DT John Henderson
T Kevin Hughes
LB Scott Lutrus
G/T Ryan McKee

While I was researching, I discovered that FENDI ONOBUN is now on the Seahawks' practice squad.


* So here's the Rams' awesome contributions from their 2011 draft so far:
1st round pick: inactive week 1
2nd round pick: one catch, two drops (three if not for a penalty)
3rd round pick: inactive week 1. Bad enough returning punts in preseason that the Rams would rather lift a guy off another team's practice squad than activate him to do it.
4th round pick: one catch, one drop
5th round pick: inactive week 1
7a pick: injury-prone player only made it through one preseason game and never made it out of training camp. The Rams show him on IR, though I thought he'd been cut.
7b pick: inactive week 1
7c pick: (Nelson) Cut.

* The Rams are 6-point underdogs to the Giants Monday night, with the over/under at 43.5. You have to take the points in this one, don't you? Then again, I would have taken the 4.5 last week. Except I know I suck at sports gambling and therefore don't.

-$-