Bernie: Loss of Chris Long latest blow for Rams
• Bernie Miklasz
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/colu...cle_d4cf9d1c-8713-5783-bca0-f84a64cd13f2.html
The Rams' awful start to the 2014 season just got worse with the news on defensive end Chris Long.
Long will be out indefinitely after undergoing surgery on his injured lower-left leg. Initial estimates have Long missing as much as two months. Rams coach Jeff Fisher said Long will have the surgery late Wednesday or on Thursday.
"I won’t go into the specifics on the surgery," Fisher said. "It is unique however, and he will be back. When I can’t predict at this time, but we have a good feel that he will be back at some point late in the season."
Fisher said Long would be placed on the injured reserve-designated to return list, which would keep him inactive for a minimum of six weeks.
Long suffered the injury in the season-opening 34-6 loss to the Vikings. The seventh-year veteran played only 31 snaps before going down. Team doctors and trainers attended to Long's left ankle but he did not return.
This is obviously a major loss for the Rams.
Long, 29, had 50.5 sacks in his first six seasons with the team and averaged 11 sacks over the past three seasons. Lining up on the left side, Long teamed with right defensive end Robert Quinn to give the Rams one of the best pass-rush tandems in the NFL last year.
Until now, Long hadn't missed a game in his NFL career after being drafted No. 2 overall by the Rams in 2008.
The Rams have a highly capable replacement in veteran William Hayes, who has provided consistently good play as the team's third defensive end. But Hayes underwent hip surgery this past offseason and was held out of the team's four preseason games.
Hayes, who will start in Long's place at Tampa Bay on Sunday, may not be entirely up to speed. But at least the Rams have depth at the defensive end position, with veteran Eugene Sims and rookie Ethan Westbrooks. Fisher indicated Westbrooks could be active for the game at Tampa Bay.
“There’s a chance Westbrooks will be up now," Fisher said. "Will (Hayes) steps up. Obviously, Gene (Sims) can play both sides. We’ll be fine there until (Long) he gets back.”
That said, Long's absence figures to make it easier for opponents to focus on stopping Quinn.
This is the second significant injury to a core player for the Rams, who lost QB Sam Bradford to a season-ending knee injury in the third preseason game.
In addition to his quality play, Long provided energy and leadership as one of the Rams' established veterans. This was a hit to the team's morale.
"The players are aware of it," Fisher said. "Obviously, they’re disappointed, I’m disappointed for Chris."
Asked about Long's mood, Fisher said, "Well, he’s not taking it very well. Obviously, you guys know him, his personality is such that he’s let the team down because he can’t be here. That’s what he’s most disappointed about."
For the 2014 Rams, it's difficult to imagine a more disturbing start to the season. The Rams already face an extreme challenge on offense because of injuries to Bradford and primary backup Shaun Hill (thigh), who didn't practice Wednesday. And now they'll have to trudge forward without one of their best defensive players.
If Hill can't go Sunday, the Rams will turn to Austin Davis, as they did in the second half vs. Minnesota.
The Rams also have new QB Case Keenum in reserve, quickly learning the offense.
As for Hill's availability for Tampa Bay, Fisher said: "He’ll be day-to-day. Austin took the majority of the reps. We got Case some reps, first time. He’s starting to feel a little more comfortable in the system. Keep in mind this is still just his fourth day on the practice field with us, so he’s working hard to get up.
Fisher will have to find a way to rally his team. It may be a little dramatic to say that the Rams already are in the crisis mode, but it sure seems that way. If nothing else the early-season turmoil is another detriment to overcome in what will be a challenging year.
Jim Thomas @jthom1 2m
