the reporters at practice, Day 12: Wagoner, etc.

Rams Camp Report: Day 12
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/10410/rams-camp-report-day-12

EARTH CITY, Mo. — A daily review of the hot topics coming out of St. Louis Rams training camp:

The Rams got back to work Monday afternoon in what was a mostly uneventful practice. As promised by coach Jeff Fisher, the team did get some players back to practice in some capacity. But key veterans such as linebacker James Laurinaitis (ankle), defensive tackle Michael Brockers (ankle) and guard Rodger Saffold (stinger) did not return to work. Among those getting back in the mix were defensive tackle Kendall Langford and cornerbacks Trumaine Johnson and Brandon McGee. Cornerback Janoris Jenkins did a little work on the side before practice and individual but not much else. Cornerback Darren Woodard was a new addition to the not practicing list. And tight end Justice Cunningham, who appears to be in a heated contest for a potential fourth tight end spot, limped off and rode to the locker room on the back of a golf cart.

Unhappy with his team’s 14 penalties against the Saints, Fisher made his team run a sprint for every player who committed a penalty. That essentially meant the whole team had to run, though some more than others.

As for the practice, it was one of the team’s more sluggish workouts of this camp, which is probably to be expected after a two-day layoff and a preseason game. Backup quarterback Shaun Hill got his share of work and had some good moments, including some nice throws down the seam in early team and 7-on-7s to tight ends Jared Cook and Lance Kendricks. The first offense appeared out of sync a bit as it had multiple near misses on deep connections and an occasional drop.

Cornerback Marcus Roberson hasn’t had many shining moments in camp but showed some deep cover skills against Chris Givens on a deep ball during team. Roberson hasn’t distinguished himself like other corners battling for roster spots and needs to pick it up to insert himself into the race. … Rookie quarterback Garrett Gilbert had some ups and quite a few downs in his preseason debut against the Saints but had some good throws in Monday’s practice. On one, he dropped a perfect pass into the corner of the end zone for a touchdown to receiver Jordan Harris.

The Rams don’t quite have their projected starting offensive line in place yet with Saffold out but they’re getting closer. Offensive tackle Jake Long and center Scott Wells were back with the first team and in far more than just a cameo Monday. Both appear to be trending toward playing preseason games as they come off knee surgery (Long) and illness (Wells). They took the bulk of the work with the first team and appear to be moving well.

Quick roster note: the Rams signed tight end Brad Smelley to take the spot vacated by injured tight end Mason Brodine. Brodine suffered a fractured ankle against New Orleans and is out for the season.

The Rams are back at it Tuesday with a 5:30 p.m. CT practice. That workout is free and open to the public at Rams Park.