By Cedric Williams
For the second straight week, the St. Louis Rams released to the media a rather light injury report for the week.
Now when some teams do that, you have to wonder if they’re trying to hide the fact that a key player is injured. But in the Rams’ case, Thursday’s skimpy injury report is simply the product of some really good luck in terms of their players’ health, even though its Week 16 of the NFL season.
So far, St. Louis has had only two players miss practice this week, and in both instances it was simply a case of Head Coach Jeff Fisher trying to give a veteran player an extra day off.
On Wednesday, center Scott Wells sat out, which is nothing new. Wells has been allowed to skip practice on Wednesdays for most of the last two months. Then on Thursday, right guard Davin Joseph was given the day off. And like Wells, Joseph wasn’t injured, Fisher just wanted to give a veteran player an extra day off before Sunday’s home finale against the New York Giants.
“It was coach’s decision to give him a day off,” Fisher said on Wednesday in regards to Wells. “(We’re) good from the health standpoint. Guys took care of themselves and took advantage of a couple of days off.”
And though Fisher wasn’t asked specifically about it on Thursday, it was pretty much understood that Joseph was given the same type of day off that he has allowed for Wells this season.
The Rams are expected to have the full group practice on Friday and then choose on Sunday, which eight players will be healthy scratches for the game against the Giants.
New York also had just two players listed on its injury report. Starting running back Rashad Jennings (ankle) was only able to take one carry before he had to leave last week’s game against the Washington Redskins, and after admitting this week that he still isn’t 100 percent healthy, Jennings might not play at all this week against the Rams.
The Giants other injury concern is to middle linebacker Jameel McClain (knee). The seventh-year man out of Syracuse, whose been a standout performer in his first season in New York, has been battling that ailment all season. Last week, he played every snap that the Giants defense was on the field and he is listed as probable for this week.
ST. LOUIS RAMS Injury Report
PROBABLE: C Scott Wells (elbow), OG Davin Joseph (not injury related).
NEW YORK GIANTS Injury Report
PROBABLE: LB Jameel McClain (knee).
QUESTIONABLE: RB Rashad Jennings (ankle).
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.
