PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Henley Signs One-Year, $350,000 Contract

Cornerback Darryl Henley signed a one-year, $350,000 contract Wednesday night to play for the Rams this season, and is expected to be on the practice field today.

Henley, who awaits a trial, scheduled Jan. 10, for cocaine possession and cocaine distribution, did not receive a signing bonus or any guaranteed money. The Rams will have to release a player today to make room for Henley on their 80-man roster.

“Once the initial awkwardness is over with, the football end will take care of itself,” said Marvin Demoff, who negotiated the deal with the Rams for Henley. “I think Darryl is somewhat anxious on how he will be received, more so by (the media) and the public than the team.

“With the presumption of innocence, I think it is clearly appropriate that Darryl have the right to pursue his livelihood while the government takes a year to a year and a half to bring this matter to trial.”

As a condition of Henley’s bail, he is not allowed to leave a seven-county region in Southern California, but the Rams said they were assured by Henley’s legal representatives that that won’t be a problem.

“Those things, as I understand, are negotiable,” Coach Chuck Knox said. “It would be tough to play if you can only play half the games. That would be an unusual hardship to be placed on him and the team.”

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The Rams will start Jackie Slater instead of Darryl Ashmore at right offensive tackle against the Packers in Saturday’s exhibition opener.

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Quarterback T.J. Rubley is continuing to rest a sore arm and will not play Saturday.