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Rams at 49ers: Previewing the Week 9 Matchup
By Shane Gray
On Sunday, the St. Louis Rams will square off with the San Francisco 49ers at Levi Stadium in an all NFC West matchup. At 2-5, St. Louis sits in last place within the division. San Francisco, meanwhile, is second in the division with a 4-3 record. The 49ers have triumphed in each of its last three meetings against the Rams.
Overcoming Injuries
St. Louis was decimated by injuries last week against the Kansas City Chiefs. In fact, Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher said the game was the single worst in relation to injury of any he has been a part of in 20 years as an NFL head man.
During the aforementioned contest at Kansas City, St. Louis lost six players who failed to return to game action, including two starters who have been placed on the season-ending injury reserve list: wide receiver Brian Quick and left tackle Jake Long. Against the 49ers, receiver Stedman Bailey will step into Quick's former spot while No. 2 overall pick Greg Robinson will slide from left guard to left tackle in place of Long.
It had already been a tough fall for the Rams in regard to health, having endured a season ending preseason injury to quarterback Sam Bradford and serious injuries to defensive end Chris Long and cornerback Trumaine Johnson -- both starters.
Earlier this week, the Rams had 13 active players on their injury list, with all of them listed as either out or limited. By Thursday, six of the 13 were full-go practice participants, but the injury picture remains far from rosy.
For his part, however, Fisher will not allow the recent injury bug to be used as an excuse against the 49ers.
“We’re going to bounce back this week and go out and we’re going to play as hard as we possibly can against a good football team that we had a chance to beat here." Fisher said. "I’m not blaming anything on the injuries or anything."
To help fill various voids left by the walking and non-walking wounded, the Rams added several players this week, including 2012 first round safety Mark Barron via trade and wide receiver Damian Williams via free agency.
According to Fisher, both players have a chance to be active this week, particularly on special teams duty.
Second Half Shortcomings
(For the full read including six other keys in detail, please click the link below. As always, I greatly appreciate the wonderful support, ROD):
http://www.insidestl.com/insideSTLc...s-at-49ers-Previewing-the-Week-9-Matchup.aspx
By Shane Gray
On Sunday, the St. Louis Rams will square off with the San Francisco 49ers at Levi Stadium in an all NFC West matchup. At 2-5, St. Louis sits in last place within the division. San Francisco, meanwhile, is second in the division with a 4-3 record. The 49ers have triumphed in each of its last three meetings against the Rams.
Overcoming Injuries
During the aforementioned contest at Kansas City, St. Louis lost six players who failed to return to game action, including two starters who have been placed on the season-ending injury reserve list: wide receiver Brian Quick and left tackle Jake Long. Against the 49ers, receiver Stedman Bailey will step into Quick's former spot while No. 2 overall pick Greg Robinson will slide from left guard to left tackle in place of Long.
It had already been a tough fall for the Rams in regard to health, having endured a season ending preseason injury to quarterback Sam Bradford and serious injuries to defensive end Chris Long and cornerback Trumaine Johnson -- both starters.
Earlier this week, the Rams had 13 active players on their injury list, with all of them listed as either out or limited. By Thursday, six of the 13 were full-go practice participants, but the injury picture remains far from rosy.
For his part, however, Fisher will not allow the recent injury bug to be used as an excuse against the 49ers.
“We’re going to bounce back this week and go out and we’re going to play as hard as we possibly can against a good football team that we had a chance to beat here." Fisher said. "I’m not blaming anything on the injuries or anything."
To help fill various voids left by the walking and non-walking wounded, the Rams added several players this week, including 2012 first round safety Mark Barron via trade and wide receiver Damian Williams via free agency.
According to Fisher, both players have a chance to be active this week, particularly on special teams duty.
Second Half Shortcomings
(For the full read including six other keys in detail, please click the link below. As always, I greatly appreciate the wonderful support, ROD):
http://www.insidestl.com/insideSTLc...s-at-49ers-Previewing-the-Week-9-Matchup.aspx