Rams News

Trade of Laing to Packers is voided because of injury

08/13

By Jim Thomas
Of the Post-Dispatch

MACOMB, Ill. -- The trade of tight end Aaron Laing to the Packers has been voided after Laing failed his physical Thursday in Green Bay. The Packers apparently had concerns over a pinched nerve in Laing's shoulder.
``Their (exam) showed something,'' Rams coach Dick Vermeil said. ``We don't know if it's an old injury. He's had this before -- the tingling, the nerve problem.''
Laing missed a day and a half of practice Aug. 3-4 because of the injury, but then returned to work. He played in Saturday's preseason opener against Denver and caught one pass for four yards.
The Rams plan to re-examine Laing today in St. Louis, and then decide whether to release him, have him rejoin the club, or try to trade him to another club. The Packers have had problems with neck and shoulder injuries in recent years -- including career-ending ones to wide receiver Sterling Sharpe and linebacker Johnny Holland. So they may be especially sensitive to Laing's condition.
The Rams would have received a seventh-round draft pick for Laing, conditional on whether he made the Packers' 53-man roster at the start of the regular season.
Early exit: Is Vermeil going soft? He canceled a Wednesday morning practice, then ended Thursday afternoon's session a half-hour early at Western Illinois University.
``I eased up a little this week,'' Vermeil said. ``But I actually think they're working harder, more consistently this year than last. Last year, we would have a great practice, and then a very dull practice. We really haven't had anything that I would consider a dull football practice this year.''
Injury update: Offensive guard Zach Wiegert sat out both workouts Thursday because of a staph infection in his hand. If the infection doesn't clear before Saturday's preseason game in San Diego, Vermeil said John Flannery would start at right guard.
Running back Greg Hill, the closest thing to an offensive ``star'' in the Denver game, sat out Thursday's afternoon session because of what Vermeil described as a puffy knee. ``He says it's the first time he's ever missed a practice,'' Vermeil said.
Scout hired: Ted Plumb, 58, has been hired as a pro scout by the Rams. Plumb was receivers coach for the Chicago Bears in 1996-97, and also has been an NFL assistant coach for Arizona, Atlanta, the New York Giants and Philadelphia over the past 25 years.

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