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Practice Report 11/27: Austin Thinking of Bailey, Plan at QB
By Myles Simmons
View: http://www.stlouisrams.com/news-and-events/article-practicereport/Practice-Report-1127-Austin-Thinking-of-Bailey-Plan-at-QB/e312480d-626f-4404-95e8-d1c9a76a07b2
As one Rams player put it Wednesday, wide receivers Stedman Bailey and Tavon Austin are like two peas in a pod -- clearly two of the closest players on the team. Both wideouts starred at West Virginia before the Rams brought them to St. Louis in the 2013 draft.
With that in mind, it’s been a tough week for Austin.
“It’s very difficult,” Austin said. “We’ve got to keep him in our prayers. I’m the one who is probably his closest brother on the team, just because we played together [in college.] But everybody feels the same.”
“He’ll be alright. He’s going to be good,” Austin added. “But it was rough, just seeing it, believing it. That’s the hardest part -- just knowing the type of brother that you have. I’ve spent seven years of my life with him.”
While Austin has not been able to get in direct contact with Bailey, his teammate has not been far from his thoughts. And in a way to honor him, Austin said he’s going to speak with head coach Jeff Fisher about wearing a No. 12 jersey for the rest of the season.
“That’s our brother. Hopefully coach Fish will let me wear it in the game -- I’m going to ask him -- for the rest of the season,” Austin said. “But he always is going to be [with] us regardless -- even if I can’t wear the jersey.”
Austin and Kenny Britt both sported No. 12 blue practice jerseys during Friday’s session.
“That’s nothing but support for our brother that we love. And we’re going to be there for him,” Britt said.
Fisher said it’s a gesture that makes sense, considering the closeness of the receiving unit as a whole.
“That’s cool. They love Sted,” Fisher said. “If we had enough jerseys to go around, everybody would’ve had a ‘12’ jersey on, including me. We just don’t have enough to go around.”
“The guys love Sted,” Fisher continued. “Sted’s a very popular player, a great teammate, very, very talented player. It’s unfortunate. We were a week away from him coming back in the building and getting ready to help us win.”
Fisher did provide a small update on Bailey’s condition, saying head trainer Reggie Scott had gone down to visit with him.
“Our doctors have talked to the attending physicians and the surgeons and he’s in stable condition right now,” Fisher said. “We’re just trying to gather more information right now. But, he’s in stable condition.”
And so while Austin’s focus has remained on trying to win a football game against Cincinnati this week, he plans on supporting Bailey as much as he can whenever he can once the season ends.
“I definitely know his strength,” Austin said. “He’s definitely going to pull through. The offseason, I might be right down there beside him. Pushing with him, getting him right back here beside me, and Kenny, and all of us. Whatever it takes, just to get him back.”
SUNDAY'S PLAN FOR QUARTERBACK
Fisher said Friday quarterback Case Keenum is still not through the concussion protocol, keeping him limited for the day’s practice and listed as questionable for Sunday. The current plan is for the club to continue to monitor Keenum over the next day, and then make a decision on who will start -- Keenum or Nick Foles.
“Unless we get good news tomorrow, then Nick will be our starter,” Fisher said. “If [Keenum’s] completely cleared and he feels good, then he’ll start. But, as it is right now, it’s looking like we’re going to potentially have to go with Nick, which is great.”
If Keenum is not healthy to go, Fisher said he’s excited about Foles getting a chance to play.
“He seized the opportunity and he had a great week this week,” Fisher said. “So, loves the game plan and he’s ready to play. I think our offense understands where the challenges are and we need to score points. Nick’s excited about the opportunity if he plays.”
For his part, Foles said he’s stayed ready throughout the process.
“I’ve been preparing the same as I’ve always been,” Foles said. “If you’re going to play quarterback, you always have to prepare like you’re starting. Preparation hasn’t changed when I stepped back. You’re always ready to go if your number is called.”
Foles has split reps with Keenum throughout the practice week, and so he’s plenty familiar with what the Rams need to do offensively to combat the Cincinnati defense.
“I think the key to us is, it’s always staying inside the chains,” Foles said. “If we do get to third down, make sure it’s third-and-manageable. We’ve been in a lot of third and longs this year. So, staying inside the chains and doing a good job on first and second down. On the road, in the red zone you have to come away with touchdowns.”
And even though Foles is, in effect, acting as the backup, the Rams receivers are still familiar with the way he throws the ball.
“Whoever is in there can go and do the job,” Britt said. “We’ve got guys who are going to go out there and make plays for him. And whoever starts on Sunday, we’re going to be there for him.”
INJURY REPORT
Defensive end Robert Quinn (hip/back), Trumaine Johnson (thigh), and right tackle Rob Havenstein (calf) did not practice and are all listed as questionable.
Keenum and kicker Greg Zuerlein (right groin) practiced on a limited basis and are also listed as questionable.
Offensive lineman Andrew Donnal (knee) did not participate all week and has been declared out.
By Myles Simmons
View: http://www.stlouisrams.com/news-and-events/article-practicereport/Practice-Report-1127-Austin-Thinking-of-Bailey-Plan-at-QB/e312480d-626f-4404-95e8-d1c9a76a07b2
As one Rams player put it Wednesday, wide receivers Stedman Bailey and Tavon Austin are like two peas in a pod -- clearly two of the closest players on the team. Both wideouts starred at West Virginia before the Rams brought them to St. Louis in the 2013 draft.
With that in mind, it’s been a tough week for Austin.
“It’s very difficult,” Austin said. “We’ve got to keep him in our prayers. I’m the one who is probably his closest brother on the team, just because we played together [in college.] But everybody feels the same.”
“He’ll be alright. He’s going to be good,” Austin added. “But it was rough, just seeing it, believing it. That’s the hardest part -- just knowing the type of brother that you have. I’ve spent seven years of my life with him.”
While Austin has not been able to get in direct contact with Bailey, his teammate has not been far from his thoughts. And in a way to honor him, Austin said he’s going to speak with head coach Jeff Fisher about wearing a No. 12 jersey for the rest of the season.
“That’s our brother. Hopefully coach Fish will let me wear it in the game -- I’m going to ask him -- for the rest of the season,” Austin said. “But he always is going to be [with] us regardless -- even if I can’t wear the jersey.”
Austin and Kenny Britt both sported No. 12 blue practice jerseys during Friday’s session.
“That’s nothing but support for our brother that we love. And we’re going to be there for him,” Britt said.
Fisher said it’s a gesture that makes sense, considering the closeness of the receiving unit as a whole.
“That’s cool. They love Sted,” Fisher said. “If we had enough jerseys to go around, everybody would’ve had a ‘12’ jersey on, including me. We just don’t have enough to go around.”
“The guys love Sted,” Fisher continued. “Sted’s a very popular player, a great teammate, very, very talented player. It’s unfortunate. We were a week away from him coming back in the building and getting ready to help us win.”
Fisher did provide a small update on Bailey’s condition, saying head trainer Reggie Scott had gone down to visit with him.
“Our doctors have talked to the attending physicians and the surgeons and he’s in stable condition right now,” Fisher said. “We’re just trying to gather more information right now. But, he’s in stable condition.”
And so while Austin’s focus has remained on trying to win a football game against Cincinnati this week, he plans on supporting Bailey as much as he can whenever he can once the season ends.
“I definitely know his strength,” Austin said. “He’s definitely going to pull through. The offseason, I might be right down there beside him. Pushing with him, getting him right back here beside me, and Kenny, and all of us. Whatever it takes, just to get him back.”
SUNDAY'S PLAN FOR QUARTERBACK
Fisher said Friday quarterback Case Keenum is still not through the concussion protocol, keeping him limited for the day’s practice and listed as questionable for Sunday. The current plan is for the club to continue to monitor Keenum over the next day, and then make a decision on who will start -- Keenum or Nick Foles.
“Unless we get good news tomorrow, then Nick will be our starter,” Fisher said. “If [Keenum’s] completely cleared and he feels good, then he’ll start. But, as it is right now, it’s looking like we’re going to potentially have to go with Nick, which is great.”
If Keenum is not healthy to go, Fisher said he’s excited about Foles getting a chance to play.
“He seized the opportunity and he had a great week this week,” Fisher said. “So, loves the game plan and he’s ready to play. I think our offense understands where the challenges are and we need to score points. Nick’s excited about the opportunity if he plays.”
For his part, Foles said he’s stayed ready throughout the process.
“I’ve been preparing the same as I’ve always been,” Foles said. “If you’re going to play quarterback, you always have to prepare like you’re starting. Preparation hasn’t changed when I stepped back. You’re always ready to go if your number is called.”
Foles has split reps with Keenum throughout the practice week, and so he’s plenty familiar with what the Rams need to do offensively to combat the Cincinnati defense.
“I think the key to us is, it’s always staying inside the chains,” Foles said. “If we do get to third down, make sure it’s third-and-manageable. We’ve been in a lot of third and longs this year. So, staying inside the chains and doing a good job on first and second down. On the road, in the red zone you have to come away with touchdowns.”
And even though Foles is, in effect, acting as the backup, the Rams receivers are still familiar with the way he throws the ball.
“Whoever is in there can go and do the job,” Britt said. “We’ve got guys who are going to go out there and make plays for him. And whoever starts on Sunday, we’re going to be there for him.”
INJURY REPORT
Defensive end Robert Quinn (hip/back), Trumaine Johnson (thigh), and right tackle Rob Havenstein (calf) did not practice and are all listed as questionable.
Keenum and kicker Greg Zuerlein (right groin) practiced on a limited basis and are also listed as questionable.
Offensive lineman Andrew Donnal (knee) did not participate all week and has been declared out.