By Cedric Williams
It’s looking more and more like the most important part of Jeff Fisher’s statement from Monday regarding the Rams’ quarterback situation were the last three words.
Fisher said in no uncertain terms that Shaun Hill, the 13-year veteran backup whose been thrust into the starter’s role due to the season-ending knee injury to Sam Bradford, would be St. Louis’ starting quarterback on Sunday, when the Rams will host the Dallas Cowboys in a noon matchup at the Edward Jones Dome.
But Fisher also made sure to add in these three words, “if he’s healthy.”
Hill has been nursing a strained quad muscle since the first half of St. Louis’ season-opening loss to the Minnesota Vikings and only returned to practice this week. But the veteran from Maryland has only participated in a few drills, while third-year man Austin Davis, who led the Rams to a thrilling 19-17 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week, has taken most of the reps with the starting unit.
“Shaun was limited today,” Fisher said, following Thursday’s practice at Rams Park. “He did more, but we’re still day-to-day. It’ll most likely be a pregame decision like it was last week.”
Hill hoped to play last week, but was just unable to show enough mobility to make the coaching staff feel it would be safe to play him in an actual NFL game.
On Thursday though, he said he’s feeling better.
“Better and better every day, absolutely,” Hill said. “That’s about all I can say about it. It certainly is getting better every day. (It was good to be) able to do some more things and certainly no setbacks. It felt good.”
The Rams had five other players that didn’t practice at all on Thursday. WR Tavon Austin (knee), TE Cory Harkey (knee), CB Brandon McGee (foot), CB Trumaine Johnson (knee), and OL Barrett Jones (back) were all sitting on the sideline Thursday evening.
Johnson and Jones have been out for a couple of weeks and both seen to be at least a few more weeks away from being healthy enough to play. Austin, Harkey, and McGee were all listed as questionable for the game on Sunday.
For the Cowboys, QB Tony Romo (back) was a full participant in Thursday’s practice after not practicing Wednesday, while WR Dez Bryant (shoulder) was limited to certain drills only on Thursday, after not practicing Wednesday.
Dallas’ leading tackler this season, LB Rolando McClain (groin) sat out for the second day in a row on Thursday.
ST. LOUIS RAMS INJURY REPORT
Out
CB Trumaine Johnson (knee)
C Barrett Jones (back)
Questionable
QB Shaun Hill (quad)
WR Tavon Austin (knee)
TE Cory Harkey (knee)
CB Brandon McGee (foot)
DALLAS COWBOYS INJURY REPORT
Out
DT Davon Coleman (knee)
Questionable
WR Dez Bryant (shoulder)
LB Rolando McClain (groin)
QB Tony Romo (back)
DL Anthony Spencer (knee)
Probable
DT Ken Bishop (illness)
OL Zack Martin (foot)
For more Rams news and updates, visit Rams Central.
Cedric Williams, a lifelong St. Louisan and proud UMSL alum, has been a freelance reporter/photographer covering St. Louis area sports for nearly two decades. Most recently, he has been working as a credentialed beat writer covering the Rams and small-school college sports for Examiner.com and other outlets from around the area. Please share any comments, questions, or feedback with Cedric at cedricwilliams510@gmail.com. His work can be found on Examiner.com.
