Rams News

Wright is expected to play Sunday against Minnesota
09/12 01:20 AM

By Elizabethe Holland
Of the Post-Dispatch Staff

Rams coach Dick Vermeil all but gave the go-ahead signal to strong safety Toby Wright on Friday.
After three consecutive days of practice, Wright appears to be healthy enough to play in Sunday's Rams-Vikings game at the Trans World Dome.
Last week, Wright's name landed on the Sunday inactives list because scar tissue in his surgically repaired knee had been torn in the final exhibition game, against Kansas City.
There's still a chance Wright won't play, but Vermeil said Friday he looks good.
"It looks like he's ready to go," said Vermeil, who added that if Wright plays he will start.
As for the team's starting right cornerback, Vermeil said he was undecided Friday whether to go with Ryan McNeil or Dexter McCleon. McCleon started at right corner in the exhibition games and last week against New Orleans, in part because of McNeil's lengthy contract holdout.
"That's undecided," Vermeil said regarding the starting job. "It's 50-50 which way we're going on that right now."
He is certain, however, that even if McNeil doesn't start, he will play in nickel situations against the Vikings.
Friday inactives: The four inactives listed Friday are LB Roman Phifer, WR Az-Zahir Hakim, C/G Tom Nutten and RB Robert Holcombe, who is the only one without injury.
Phifer is out with a hamstring injury, Hakim for his hand and Nutten for his elbow. Holcombe, the Rams' second-round draft pick this year, is one of probably two running backs to be kept out of the game.
On Thursday, Vermeil said Greg Hill - who was inactive last week - will start and last week's starting running back, Jerald Moore, will be the backup.
Fullback Derrick Harris and third-down back Amp Lee also will play. Unless Vermeil decides to have five backs in uniform, June Henley will join Holcombe on the inactives list Sunday.
Playing at center: John Flannery is slated to start again at center, with Ryan Tucker as his backup. Mike Gruttadauria has returned to the practice field after undergoing arthroscopic surgery three weeks ago, but he was listed as questionable Friday.
Handy man: LB Eric Hill has a broken hand, but the plan is to play him Sunday. He will be outfitted with a special cast that will allow him to play.
"He's not going to be as good as he would be if (his hand) were 100 percent, but I think mentally he's a warrior," Vermeil said. "He's been through injuries and bumps and bruises and played quite well and we expect him to play OK."

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