PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Shoulder Injuries Concern Gilbert

By T.J. SIMERS

Oct. 13, 1994 12 AM PT

Defensive tackle Sean Gilbert was scheduled to undergo tests on both shoulders Wednesday night.

Gilbert left Sunday’s game in the first quarter after aggravating shoulder injuries and, after Gilbert sat out practice Wednesday, teammate Robert Young had to help Gilbert lift the T-shirt over his head.

“Am I concerned? It’s my job,” Gilbert said. “If something is wrong, it will have to be fixed. I can’t sit here and whine. I can’t go out and give my 100% if I’m hurt.”

The Rams moved rookie free agent D’Marco Farr into Gilbert’s position for practice.

Defensive tackle Jimmie Jones, who has been playing alongside Gilbert, sat out practice because of a bruised hip but is expected to play against the New York Giants on Sunday.

Why have the Rams lost four of six games? Listen to the coaches and it’s because they haven’t played rookie Wayne Gandy.

“I feel we can win the game with Wayne Gandy,” offensive line coach Jim Erkenbeck said.

If that’s the case, why did the Rams play Darryl Ashmore earlier and keep Gandy on the bench?

“Ashmore has more experience, not more talent,” Erkenbeck said.

Ashmore is back and ready to go, but Erkenbeck said Gandy has practice experience now and will start at right tackle in place of an injured Jackie Slater.

Running back Jerome Bettis, who wore a pad around his midsection to protect a bruised back against Green Bay, practiced Wednesday without any hint of discomfort.

This week Bettis will be matched against the fourth-ranked rushing defense in the league, and he will be running behind a makeshift offensive line.

“How will the new guys come in and play?” Bettis said. “That’s the key. Last year we had injuries and the backups came in and played like starters and we were able to roll on.”

Running back David Lang will sit out Sunday’s game because of a hamstring injury and wide receiver Todd Kinchen will take his place returning kicks.