The Sports Xchange

EARTH CITY, Mo. – Even in a bye week, the news wasn’t good for the St. Louis Rams.

After their final practice of the week Thursday, head coach Jeff Fisher confirmed that right guard Rodger Saffold would undergo season-ending shoulder surgery after suffering the injury on the 17th snap of Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers.

Unfortunately for Saffold, injuries have been a way of life for him since coming to the Rams as a second-round pick in the 2010 draft. He has had just two seasons where he was able to play and start all 16 games. Oddly, that included the 2014 season when he started all 16 games despite failing a physical with the Oakland Raiders after agreeing to terms on a lucrative free-agent contract in March.

The Raiders were concerned about issues with his left shoulder, which he played through after re-signing with the Rams and then had surgically corrected after the season. Saffold said he was as healthy as ever when training camp opened in late July, but then suffered an injury to his right shoulder on the fourth play of the first preseason game.

He started the first five games this season before further injuring the shoulder against the Packers. A second opinion confirmed the Rams’ doctor’s diagnosis.

When this season is over, he will have started just 65 (and playing 68) of a possible 96 games.

Despite the injuries he’s experienced, Saffold has often fought through them as much as possible in order to play. That was also the case this time.

Said Fisher, “He was obviously very disappointed in the ball game, and then after the ball game a little optimistic. Once we got both opinions together, he was willing to try to play, but inevitably it’s going to come out again, when we talk about the condition of his shoulder. So, we just felt like for career-wise and future-wise, it’s best to get it fixed.”

The silver lining in Fisher’s mind is that he should be fine for next season.

“He fought through it with the left shoulder last year,” Fisher said. “So, we fixed it when the season was over. (Now), we’re getting an earlier start. His return to play and to 100 percent is estimated somewhere in February or March, so he’ll have a good offseason.”

Taking Saffold’s place will be Garrett Reynolds, who was signed as an unrestricted free agent in the offseason. Originally a fifth-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons in 2009, Reynolds has started 27 games with the Falcons and Lions at both guard and tackle.

For the time being it appears, the Rams won’t be searching for an outside replacement on the line. Undrafted rookie free agent Darryl Williams has been listed on the depth chart as the backup left tackle behind Greg Robinson, while rookie Andrew Donnal, who can also play guard, is the listed right tackle behind Rob Havenstein. Another rookie, Cody Wichmann is the backup at both guard spots.

Fisher said, “No problem with Cody. No problem with Andrew. Darrell understands what he’s doing and had a good week of work this week, so he can come ready to play.”

–Saffold wasn’t the only injury revealed by Fisher. Tight end Lance Kendricks underwent surgery Monday to repair a torn ligament in a finger, an injury that occurred in the season opener against Seattle. Taking Saffold’s spot on the roster is tight end Justice Cunningham, who was signed from the practice squad.

Said Fisher of Kendricks’ surgery, “We waited through the bye week. Courageous effort since the Seattle game (playing) with the injury, so he’s going to be questionable for Cleveland. We needed to get Justice up on the roster. Justice has earned the right and we’ll be fine until Lance is ready to come back. He may be back for Cleveland. We just don’t know.”

On Cunningham’s value, Fisher said, “Special teams, four special teams core player. Five actually with field-goal protection. He knows the offense and he can play on the line. He can play the fullback position, do all the same things that Lance has done. (He’s a) good blocker. Strong. Physical. Good hands, can get open.”