Rams place Jason Smith on IR
Lingering concussion symptoms forced the Rams to place offensive
tackle Jason Smith on injured-reserve Friday. Smith suffered the
concussion Oct. 23 early in the Rams’ loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
Since then, he has attended a few meetings but had not been cleared
to practice.
Smith attempted a light workout Monday but experienced
concussion symptoms at about 50 percent exertion.
“We just thought it was the right thing to do now,” Rams coach
Steve Spagnuolo said. “He’s getting close, but he’s not there. He
hasn’t done anything for the month. If we wait another week or two
weeks and tried to get him ready to go, are we doing the right
thing for the player? We’re trying to be smart about it.”
To take Smith’s spot on the active roster, the Rams signed
center/guard Bryan Mattison, who was cut from the Ravens on
Wednesday. Mattison, in his second season out of Iowa, appeared in
eight games this season and two last year for Baltimore.
“We thought it was a pretty good move at this time,” Spagnuolo
said.
Three players did not practice Friday and were listed as out for
Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals: defensive tackle
Justin Bannan (shoulder), linebacker Josh Hull (hamstring) and
offensive tackle Mark LeVoir (pectoral).
Among those who were limited in practice and listed as
questionable were defensive end Chris Long (ankle), running back
Cadillac Williams (calf), wide receiver Danario Alexander
(hamstring) and linebacker James Laurinaitis (foot), though
Spagnuolo noted that the latter took most of the reps.
“We’re trying to save him, but we’re trying to get him as
healthy as we can for Sunday,” Spagnuolo said of Laurinaitis.
Players listed as probable were wide receiver Austin Pettis
(knee), tight end Lance Kendricks (concussion) and cornerback
Justin King (knee).