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Rams report: Team, coaches are ready for Minnesota on Sunday
• By Joe Lyons
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...tml?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
The Rams wrapped up practice Friday afternoon so now all that stands between them and the start of the NFL season is the Saturday's walk-through.
The Rams host the Minnesota Vikings Sunday in a noon game at the Edward Jones Dome.
“We've got to fine-tune some things tomorrow,'' coach Jeff Fisher said. “As a staff, we go through our thoughts regarding openers and things like that.
“We've had some really good practices in the heat and they've pushed right through it and they've pushed each other right through it. Their attention level is very high in the meetings, and they're doing all the right things. They respect the opponent, they understand the challenges and they know it's going to be a hard-fought game, that's how openers are.
“The challenge to them is to get to know an uncommon opponent and that's what we've challenged them to do this week.''
INJURY REPORT
Defensive end Eugene Sims (knee) was limited in practice Friday and listed as questionable (50-50) for Sunday's game. The others listed by the Rams _ tackle Jake Long (knee), linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar (shoulder) and defensive end William Hayes (chest) were full participants for the second straight day and are probable for the season opener.
Also listed as probable is safety Maurice Alexander (Eureka High), who missed Friday's workout with an excused absence.
As expected, cornerback Trumaine Johnson (knee) and C Barrett Jones (back) have been ruled out. They're both weeks away from rejoining the team on the practice field.
Minnesota has ruled out linebackers Brandon Watts (knee) and Michael Mauti (foot) as well as fullback Zach Line (ankle).
Listed on the unofficial depth chart as a starter at right defensive end, Everson Griffen has been ill and did not practice Thursday or Friday. He is listed as questionable along with tackle Mike Harris (shoulder), who has been limited at practice.
Cornerback Jabari Price (shoulder) and wide receiver Rodney Smith (neck) have practiced all week and are probable.
RAM-BLINGS
Voted on by the players, the Rams have named their captains for the upcoming season _ Linebacker James Laurinaitis, defensive end Chris Long, quarterback Shaun Hill and punter Johnny Hekker.
• The Rams made another practice squad move, adding Mike Remmers, a 6-foot-5, 300-pound offensive lineman, and waiving tackle Sean Hooey.
Remmers, a 25-year-old from Portland, walked on at Oregon State and ended up starting 44 games for the Beavers. He signed with Denver as an undrafted free agent in 2012 but spent the majority of that season on Tampa Bay's practice squad.
He was claimed off the Buccaneers' practice squad by San Diego in Oct. 2013 and made his NFL debut with the Chargers on Oct. 20, 2013. He was cut by San Diego in November and claimed on waivers by the Minnesota Vikings.
He was in camp, cut and placed on the practice squad by the Vikings before being released and claimed off waivers by the Rams.
The same Vikings the Rams play on Sunday.
“We didn't bring him in for that reason. We brought him because we feel like he has some ability,'' Fisher said. “He's bounced around, played with some teams, but we watched him play in some preseason games and he looks like he has something to work with.''
Hooey, a 6-9, 304-pounder from the University of Cincinnati, signed as an undrafted free agent in May of 2013 and spent last year on the Rams' practice squad.