Rams Notebook: Texans sign Keenum off Rams' practice squad/PD

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Texans sign Keenum off Rams' practice squad
• By Jim Thomas

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_2d99782b-ea20-541f-bed4-937bb3d426b7.html

There was a time early in the NFL season when quarterback Case Keenum appeared to be a part of the Rams’ quarterback puzzle going forward.

The Rams claimed him off waivers from Houston on Sept. 1. But now Keenum is heading back to the Texans, who signed him off the Rams’ practice squad Monday.

Keenum spent the first seven games of this season on the Rams’ 53-man roster but did not appear in any games.

He was released from the active roster Oct. 28, but was re-signed to the practice squad after clearing waivers and spent the next seven games with that group.

Keenum, who started eight games for the Texans last season under former coach Gary Kubiak and interim coach Wade Phillips, spent last offseason and the preseason on the Houston roster with new coach Bill O’Brien.

So Keenum spent a lot of time learning O’Brien’s offense in the spring and summer.

And after injuries to Ryan Fitzpatrick and Tom Savage on Sunday in Indianapolis, Keenum could find himself starting this week against Baltimore.

Keenum’s departure left the Rams two men short on their 10-man practice squad. But they are filling one of those vacancies with defensive tackle Doug Worthington.

Worthington, 6 feet 5, 318 pounds, entered the league as a seventh-round draft pick by Pittsburgh in 2010.

He has since had stints with Tampa Bay, Washington and San Diego.

His only regular-season action came in 2012, for Washington, when he appeared in six games with three tackles and one pass breakup.

TOP RETURNERS

With just two games to play in this season, the Rams are on the verge of a rare feat on special teams.

Benny Cunningham ranks fifth in the NFL in kickoff returns, averaging 28.6 yards per return. Meanwhile, Tavon Austin ranks sixth in punt returns, averaging 10.3 yards per return.

In their 20 seasons in St. Louis, the Rams have had a punt returner and kickoff returner both finish in the top 10 in the same season only once.

That came in 2000, when Az-Zahir Hakim finished second in punt returns (15.3-yard average) and Tony Horne finished 10th in kickoff returns (24.2-yard average).

Horne led the league in kickoff returns in 1999, averaging 29.7 yards per return.

He’s the only “St. Louis” Rams return man to lead the league in either punt returns or kickoff returns.

HOME FINALE

The Rams will hold their annual “Fan Appreciation” game in Sunday’s 3:05 p.m. contest against the New York Giants at the Edward Jones Dome. All merchandise is 50 percent off, as are hot dogs and some soft drinks.

The first 15,000 fans to arrive will receive a James Laurinaitis action figure.

MOVING UP

After holding Arizona to 274 yards in a 12-6 loss Thursday night, the Rams have moved up to a tie for 11th (with Minnesota) in total defense. The Rams and Vikings are yielding 339.9 yards per game.

The Rams haven’t finished in the top 10 in total defense since the 2001 NFC championship squad ranked third.