Rams rookie OL Barrett Jones out with back injury
Rams’ rookie offensive lineman, Alabama alumnus and former NCAA Champion, Barret Jones injured his back and will miss all of preseason — at the very least. And while the Rams’ have a notoriously deep defensive line — illuminated mostly by Michael Sam’s efforts to be the first openly gay player to make a roster — the loss of Jones will shed light on just how little depth they have on the offensive line.
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“Barrett is going to be weeks away,” Fisher said, via ESPN’s NFL Nation. “Barrett has had some minor surgery on his back so he will not participate in the preseason. Beyond that, I don’t know.”
The Rams lost another rookie, Demetrius Rhaney, in practice last week. Fisher is trying to see the silver lining.
“We got good news,” he said. “We suspected the worst but got good news. He has no ligament damage whatsoever. The cartilage looks good, solid, no cartilage damage. He’s got a severe bone bruise I guess I would classify it and he’s going to be out for some time. These things typically take time.
“I can’t tell you whether it’s going to be four weeks or six weeks but I would not expect him back within the four-week time period.”
ESPN.com’s Nick Wagoner explains that lineman Scott wells will start at center. Tim Barnes will be the No. 2 guys, and Mike Person will fill in as “center insurance.” It’s not looking pretty for the Rams, who are trying to vault Sam Bradford from good to great. They’ll need an offensive line to do that.
“I think we are good right now,” Fisher said. “We’ve got depth, we’ve got flexibility. We’re going to look. This is a time you typically continue to evaluate the bottom half of your roster and watch the waiver wire and we’ll make room with Isaiah’s spot. If somebody is out there we’ll consider it but we’re not looking to replace position for a position.”