Gaines is doubtful for game at Seattle
• By Joe Lyons
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_29d10f0b-7d29-5519-9972-9bc39243ad00.html
E.J. Gaines’ streak appears to be in jeopardy.
Gaines, who has started the opening 15 games of the season for the Rams, sat out practice again on Friday as he recovers from a concussion suffered in the loss to the New York Giants. Gaines, who was hurt in a collision with teammate T.J. McDonald, didn’t practice this week and was listed as doubtful on Friday’s injury report. In NFL terms, “doubtful” means at least a 75 percent chance that he will not play.
The former University of Missouri standout was drafted in the sixth round in May and has been one of the steals of the draft. He currently is fourth on the team with 105 tackles. He leads the Rams with 14 pass defenses and also has two interceptions and a fumble recovery.
With Gaines’ availability in doubt, it appears fellow rookies Lamarcus Joyner and Marcus Roberson are in line for some additional playing time Sunday when the Rams (6-9) take on the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks (11-4) in Seattle. Game time is 3:25 p.m. (St. Louis time).
“I think they need to play,” Rams coach Jeff Fisher said when asked about his confidence level in the rookie defensive backs. “That’s what happens when somebody goes down, unfortunately. Someone else gets the reps.”
Roberson, an undrafted free agent out of the University of Florida, played mainly on special teams early before earning starts at right corner against Kansas City and San Francisco. He hurt his ankle in the 49ers game Nov. 2 and has been inactive since.
“Every day, I work to try and make sure I’m ready,’’ said Roberson, 22. “Getting a chance to (start), it helped a lot. But I understand everything. I feel I’ve been blessed with the opportunity this season and I’m just trying to make sure I’m ready when I get that next chance.”
The Rams were high on Roberson through the draft process and love his potential.
“It’s one of those deals where you had him up, had a good grade on him,’’ Fisher said. “Obviously, he accepted our college free agent invitation and has done very well for himself. He’s got starter ability and he’s proven that by playing.’’
Joyner, a second-round draft pick out of Florida State in May, was seeing regular action on special teams and at nickel back to open the season and had 43 tackles through eight games. But then, while attempting to sack Arizona quarterback Carson Palmer on Nov. 9, Joyner suffered a groin injury. He spent three weeks on the injury report and was inactive two more games before returning to action last week against the Giants. He took 16 defensive snaps and contributing one solo tackle with a big hit.
“It was tough. It’s the NFL. Guys were going 100 percent and I felt like I was going 70,’’ he said. “But my teammates and my coaches stuck with me and I’ve had a pretty good week of practice. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to finish strong on Sunday.’’
Joyner said he’s been frustrated at times this season. But it’s all part of being an NFL rookie.
“As a young guy with a lot to learn, I’ve have no right to huff and pout,’’ he said. “I need to learn some lessons in the National Football League. I don’t have nothing that I’ve earned here yet, so I’m looking at it as a great experience.’’
INJURY REPORT
Joining Gaines on the Friday injury report was defensive end Chris Long, who received a veteran’s day off and is listed as probable. Also probable for Sunday are cornerback Janoris Jenkins and center Scott Wells, who were both limited earlier in the week with back issues.
Seattle has ruled out No. 2 receiver Jermaine Kearse (hamstring) and reserve defensive end Demarcus Dobbs (ankle). Neither practiced this week. Kearse, who was hurt early in last week’s win in Arizona, has 38 catches for 537 yards and a touchdown this season.
Listed questionable for the Seahawks are starting center Max Unger (knee/ankle), backup tight end Cooper Helfet (ribs), reserve receiver Chris Matthews (hamstring) and backup cornerback Tharold Simon (shoulder). Unger, who has missed the last five games, was a full practice participant on Friday. The others were limited.
Standout running back Marshawn Lynch (back) practiced on Friday and is probable. The same is true of tackle Russell Okung (chest) and reserve tight end Tony Moeaki (shoulder).
RAMS-GIANTS FINES REVISITED
On Monday, Fisher said he’d be surprised if any Rams were fined for their actions in last weekend’s brawl near the Giants’ bench.
Surprise.
Defensive end William Hayes, who was ejected from the action, was fined $10,000 for throwing a punch in the melee. Second-year linebacker Alec Ogletree, who started the commotion with his takedown of Odell Beckham Jr. well out of bounds, picked up a fine of $8,268. Earlier in the week, Ogletree told reporters that he had not been fined.
In addition, the Rams’ Eugene Sims was levied a $16,537 fine for a roughing-the-passer hit on Eli Manning.
That’s a total of $34,805 for the Rams. The fines against the Giants — to DE Cullen Jenkins ($16,537), DE Damontre Moore ($15,000), WR Preston Parker ($15,000), WR Beckham ($10,000), K Josh Brown ($8,268) and long snapper Zak DeOssie ($8,268) — came to $73,073.
Moore, Parker and Beckam were involved in the fight, with Moore and Parker getting ejected along with the Rams’ Hayes. Jenkins was fined for roughing the passer, DeOssie for a late hit on a Rams punt return and Brown, the ex-Ram, for a mule kick to the chin of the Rams’ Cody Davis after the veteran kicker was shoved onto the pile by another Rams’ player.
