Rams to Get Some Reinforcements : Irvin, Ekern and Hicks Are Expected Back for Opener
As the season approaches, the Rams gladly welcome the return this week of the following players, largely missing in action to this point:
--LeRoy Irvin. The summer of this cornerback’s discontent is over. Irvin, brooding over his contract since he reported six days late on Aug. 1, will start at right cornerback against the Oilers next Sunday at Houston.
“I expect him to be ready to play,” Coach John Robinson said Sunday. “We expect him to have a good season.”
OK. But first consider that Irvin has not played in four of the team’s five exhibition games. Not even counting his wish to be traded, Irvin has been bothered by a sore hamstring, back, groin and hip. Basically, he’s been bothered.
--Carl Ekern. On the other hand, the Ram captain and starting inside linebacker is making a valiant attempt to get back into the opening-day lineup despite having arthroscopic knee surgery less than a month ago.
Ekern, injured against Seattle Aug. 13, will practice this week and likely give it a shot against the Oilers.
--Clifford Hicks. The team’s third-round choice, a cornerback from Oregon, will make the 45-man roster and be asked to be ready for relief duty at Houston. Hicks separated his shoulder Aug. 13 and hasn’t practiced since.
Hicks impressed coaches early in training camp and made a dazzling interception in the London exhibition game against Denver Aug. 9.
Of course, today the Rams must reduce their roster by 15 players to reach the NFL limit of 45.
Roster spots that would have gone to tackle Duval Love and linebacker Mark Jerue are temporarily up for grabs.
Love, who had arthroscopic knee surgery Aug. 16, is still “three or four” weeks away from playing, Robinson said, meaning he will probably end up on injured reserve along with Jerue, who won’t be ready to go until early October following his knee surgery.
A player placed on injured reserve today must remain there a minimum of four weeks before returning to the active roster.
“I think our team will be pretty healthy by October,” Robinson said.
Ram Notes Eric Dickerson, who gained 50 yards in 15 carries in the Rams’ 26-14 exhibition loss to the Washington Redskins Saturday night, tried to put the game in perspective afterward. “I hate to say it,” he said, “but I’m sick of the preseason. We haven’t run very many plays tonight or all preseason. I think we’re saving it for the season.” A survey of others confirmed it. Henry Ellard: “It’s been a long preseason; it’s time we started playing ball.” Jim Everett: “Get this preseason out of here and let’s get started.” . . . For the second straight week, Ram linebacker Jim Collins led all players in tackles. He had 11 and one quarterback sack. It’s safe to say that Collins, who missed the entire 1986 season with a shoulder injury, is back. . . . Coach John Robinson, on the team’s five turnovers: “We played it rather indifferently. When you do that, errors come up.” . . . Nose tackle Alvin Wright blocked Jess Atkinson’s 27-yard field goal attempt in the first quarter. . . . Reserve linebacker Sam Anno made an acrobatic, fourth-quarter interception of a pass thrown by Redskin backup quarterback Doug Williams. . . . So-much-for-playing-time Dept.: Ram No. 2 quarterback Steve Dils entered the game with 18 seconds remaining, just in time for one smooth handoff to Buford McGee.
