Rams News

Hamstring injury will sideline Phifer for season-opener

08/28/98

By Jim Thomas
Of the Post-Dispatch Staff

KANSAS CITY -- When it comes to preseason finales, the No. 1 goal of every NFL team is to escape injury. On that count, the Rams took a hit Friday when Roman Phifer limped off the field with a left hamstring injury midway through the second quarter of the Governor's Cup victory over Kansas City.
According to coach Dick Vermeil, Phifer will be out for next week's season opener against New Orleans -- and more.
``We've lost Roman Phifer for a short period of time, hopefully only a couple of weeks,'' Vermeil said. ``But you never know with a hamstring pull. So that's really disappointing. It takes an edge off winning. He's the Rock of Gibraltar over there.''
Phifer was the Rams defensive captain a year ago, and along with cornerback Todd Lyght is the team's senior player -- entering his eighth season with the club.
Phifer suffered the injury midway through the second quarter when leaping to sack Kansas City quarterback Rich Gannon.
``When I tried to jump initially, I felt it pop,'' Phifer said. ``But before that it felt good.''
Phifer has been bothered by knee and calf problems in the same leg, and before the game, Vermeil indicated the Rams would play him sparingly against the Chiefs.
``Right now, we should have taken him out earlier, no question,'' Vermeil said.


Getting his kicks: After what's transpired in the past two preseason games, Jeff Wilkins' right leg may qualify for frequent flyer miles.
Last Saturday against Dallas, Wilkins kicked a 54-yard field goal. On Friday against Kansas City, he booted a 52-yarder. Too bad for Wilkins, it's only the preseason.
``They don't count, but I'm not going to complain at all,'' Wilkins said. ``It's great to do something like that.''
Wilkins' career high in a regular-season game is a 52-yarder he kicked against San Francisco last season. Wilkins, who endured a nasty late-season slump a year ago, finished the preseason making all four of his field-goal attempts. He did miss an extra point, however, in preseason game No. 2 in San Diego.


Injury update: Scratched for the Rams were center Mike Gruttadauria (knee), fullback Derrick Harris (hip), tight end Mitch Jacoby (thumb) and running back Amp Lee (foot).
Wide receiver Isaac Bruce was poked in the eye after a first-quarter reception and sat out the rest of the game, but he wasn't going to play much anyway. Reserve safety Mike Scurlock left after suffering a concussion late in the third quarter.


Deja vu: Four days after being released by the Rams, Willie Clark was back in uniform. They were left with only three healthy cornerbacks after Tony Stargell suffered a hip injury Wednesday in practice. The Rams waived Stargell to create a roster spot for Clark, but may re-sign Stargell once he is healthy.


He's No. 1: Defensive end Grant Wistrom, the Rams' first-round draft pick, will stay in the Great Plains for a couple of days after the game. He will have his jersey retired today in Lincoln, Neb., when the Nebraska Cornhuskers play host to Louisiana Tech. On Sunday, he will make an appearance at an Omaha grocery store with his mother, Kathy, for Ott's Salad dressing.
Wistrom will take a sack to the grocery, his first in the preseason. Wistrom sacked Gannon for an 11-yard loss early in the third quarter.

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