Rams notes: Austin working his way back –PD

Rams notes: Austin working his way back
• By Joe Lyons

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/rams-notes-austin-working-his-way-back/article_accfcfc0-e122-5cc3-a050-8fd13d028f53.html

With wide receiver Tavon Austin working his way back after suffering a knee injury during the victory in Tampa Bay, there could be some tough lineup choices to be made Sunday when the 1-2 Rams take on the 3-1 Eagles in Philadelphia.

Could the Rams dress all six wide receivers?

“Oh yeah, it’s not a problem,’’ Rams coach Jeff Fisher said Friday after practice at Rams Park.

Do you have enough footballs to keep all six wideouts involved?

“We do,’’ Fisher added.

Austin, the team’s top draft pick in 2013, was limited through practice this week and is questionable heading into Sunday’s noon game at Lincoln Financial Field.

“We’ll do some stuff before the game to see how he is,’’ Fisher said.

Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer added: “Obviously, we’re going to try and rotate guys through. Our goal is whoever’s active is going to play. You see that with the backs, the receivers and the tight ends. (Tavon’s been) moving around pretty good. … If he’s active, then we’ll certainly have a plan to get him the ball.’’

In the season-opening loss to Minnesota, Austin caught three passes for 34 yards, returned five punts for 24 yards and had 5 yards on three run plays. He was hurt on the only pass thrown his way in Tampa, finishing the game with two carries for 21 yards while losing a yard on his lone punt return.

The team’s top pass-catchers at wide receiver this season have been Brian Quick (16 catches, 235 yards, TD), Kenny Britt (six, 86), Austin Pettis (six, 74, TD) and Chris Givens (four, 50). Stedman Bailey, who was suspended for the first two games, was active for the Dallas game but did not have any catches.

Tight ends Jared Cook, Lance Kendricks and Cory Harkey and backs Zac Stacy and Benny Cunningham have also been regular targets for starting quarterback Austin Davis, who has completed passes to eight different receivers in each of his two NFL starts.

INJURY REPORT

No surprises for the Rams as center Barrett Jones (back) and cornerbacks Trumaine Johnson (knee) and Brandon McGee (foot) have been ruled out. Austin, as noted, is questionable with a knee injury, with back-up quarterback Shaun Hill (thigh) is listed as probable after going through full workouts Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

The Eagles have ruled out starting center Jason Kelce (sports hernia) and starting inside linebacker Mychal Kendricks (calf). Cornerback Brandon Boykin (hamstring) practiced Thursday and Friday and is listed as questionable.

Listed as probable after practicing throughout the week are tight end Trey Burton (Achilles tendon), cornerback Nolan Carroll (ankle), tight end James Casey (knee), tackle Matt Tobin (ankle), safety Earl Wolff (knee) and wide receivers Jason Huff (shoulder), Brad Smith (groin) and Jeremy Maclin (hamstring).

Both Smith, who played quarterback in college, and Maclin, a Kirkwood High product, starred at the University of Missouri.

In other injury-related news, Fisher said that tight ends coach Rod Boras (calf) is “doubtful and did not practice” Friday after getting hurt in individual drills Thursday.

“And we will not be able to work him out before the game,’’ Fisher kidded.

GROWING PAINS

For rookie cornerback E.J. Gaines, the Dallas game was a strange one. He was on the field for 53 defensive snaps and six more on special teams. Yet, he managed one assisted tackle.

“I didn’t get too much action my way, which is never a good thing because you want to have an impact on the game,’’ the former Mizzou star said. “I’m definitely looking for a chance to bounce back because I know I’ll get plenty of chances this week.’’

The Eagles’ fast-paced attack is set up to spread the field and then try to exploit the one-on-one matchups it creates.

“You have to keep up with their pace, and that’s something we’ve worked all week on,’’ Gaines said. “The key is to try and play simple and not let yourself get distracted because that’s what they want.’’

Against Dallas, Gaines matched up with Terrance Williams, who beat him for a 20-yard touchdown pass.

“Got caught on a pick route in the red zone,’’ Gaines explained. “I think it was his only catch of the day against me, but you never want to give up the touchdown. Watching the film, I should’ve seen it coming. Just a rookie mistake on my part.’’

And the long touchdown pass to a wide-open Dez Bryant? “That was just a communication breakdown by the whole secondary,’’ Gaines said. “One of those things we can’t let happen.’’

PHILLY COACHING ROOTS

Fisher got his professional coaching start with the Eagles, serving as defensive backs coach in 1986-88 and as defensive coordinator from 1988-1990.

“It’s a great football town with a great fan base,’’ he said. “I got my start there with Buddy Ryan. We had a good year the first year and then the players went on strike. They had a replacement team in ‘87. I still have the picture as a secondary coach with the replacement defensive backs — it serves as motivation every day for me.

“Two of them didn’t even play college football.’’