Rams notes: Quick, the practice squad, Donald, etc.

Ram notes: Quick remains patient, supportive of teammates

Joe Lyons

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/ram-notes-quick-remains-patient-supportive-of-teammates/article_65b73121-e238-5baa-9744-4a546dff73f2.html

It may have caught some by surprise, but Rams receiver Brian Quick knew he would not be on the active roster for Sunday’s game against the Seahawks.

“We talked about it previously, before the season; I knew what was happening,” the fourth-year pro said following practice and a lengthy post-practice session with the JUGS pass-catching machine Tuesday at Rams Park. “It’s not my call. I want to be out there, but I also want to do what’s best for the team. All I can do is continue to work and make sure that I’m ready when they decide to call my number.’’

In the midst of a breakout season that saw him post career-best numbers in receptions (25), receiving yards (375) and touchdowns (three), the 6-foot-3, 218-pound Quick suffered a severe shoulder injury Oct. 26 at Kansas City and finished the 2014 season on injured reserve.

Following a long and challenging rehab process, Quick has progressed slowly but surely through training camp and the preseason. In 30 offensive plays during the preseason, he did not have a pass thrown his way.

Coach Jeff Fisher said the decision was a numbers issue.

“We had to get to 46 players,’’ said Fisher, who needed more special-teams depth with linebacker Daren Bates (knee) unavailable. “He’s just going to have to be patient. He’s coming. He’s missed a lot of time. He’s coming.’’

Practice squad changes

The Rams made a pair of practice-squad moves Tuesday, signing cornerbacks Brandon McGee and Melvin White and releasing safety Jacob Hagen and cornerback Trovon Reed.McGee, a fifth-round draft pick by the Rams in 2013, was among the final cuts this year after missing all but one day of training camp with a foot injury. He played in 15 games as a rookie, chipping in with 10 tackles and six more on special teams. In 2014, he appeared in just two games before being placed on injured reserve with a foot injury.White, 25, was signed by Carolina as an undrafted free agent in 2013. He played in 30 games, making 17 starts, over the past two seasons before being cut recently. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound White recorded 83 tackles, defended 11 passes and had three interceptions in his time with the Panthers.

Ram-blings

Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who finished Sunday’s overtime win over Seattle with two sacks and a career-high 13 tackles, is one of the nominees as the Castrol EDGE Clutch Performer of the Week.Fans can vote at http://www.nfl.com/castrol-edge through Friday at 2 p.m.The Redskins placed starting strong safety Duke Ihenacho on injured reserve with a dislocated left wrist. To fill the roster spot, Washington signed veteran cornerback Will Blackmon, a ninth-year pro who spent the last two seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Washington also cut fullback Ray Agnew (De Smet, SIU Carbondale) from its practice squad.

In another practice squad move, former Ram Gerald Rivers was cut by the Giants. A defensive end from Ole Miss, Rivers spent most of 2013 with the Rams, playing in one game. Since then, he’s spent time with Jacksonville, Miami and Denver.

• Former Ram Austin Pettis was among a group of veteran wide receivers working out for the Cowboys on Tuesday. The team eventually made a trade with Oakland for Brice Butler.