Avery struggling with fumbles

ST. LOUIS -- It's two games and two turnovers for Donnie Avery, the St. Louis Rams' second-round pick last year. He realizes more than those who are making him the franchise's latest scapegoat that it's two too many.

Ball security suddenly has become an issue with a player expected to lead the team's thin and inexperienced wide receiver corps. His fumble at the Washington 5 in the fourth quarter last Sunday cost the Rams dearly in a 2-point loss, and he lost a fumble on a kickoff return to open the season.

Returning to practice Wednesday was a major relief for Avery, the better to begin redeeming himself.

"It was great to get back out there," Avery said. "I understand it's going to be a long week, but I just need to get ready."

Coach Steve Spagnuolo said he hasn't lost confidence in Avery, the first wide receiver taken in the 2008 draft and coming off a 53-catch season that was only one off the franchise rookie record set by Eddie Kennison in 1996. So far, Avery has seven catches for 50 yards for a team that has managed only one touchdown in two games.

The Rams, who have dropped 12 in a row heading into Sunday's home opener against the Packers, need his breakaway speed.

"I know this and I've said it before: I love his heart, I love his grit, I love what he's all about," Spagnuolo said. "He'll be fine. We're banking on him to be fine."

Quarterback Marc Bulger said Avery was tough enough on himself after Sunday's loss without teammates piling on.

"We're going to need him for 14 more games, and he's too good of a player," Bulger said. "We can't let him get down, and he was back out there today looking great."

Thus far, Laurent Robinson has been Bulger's go-to wide receiver with 11 catches, a 12.8-yard average and the lone touchdown on a 2-yard fade route against the Redskins.

Avery made several big plays as a rookie, scoring his first touchdown on a 37-yard end around and had six catches for 169 yards including a 69-yard grab against the Patriots. No fumbles, either.

"I guess you could say when it's good it's good, and when it's bad it's bad," said Avery, whose long gain this year is only 16 yards.

Avery got caught on a spin move on the kickoff return, and hasn't returned one since, although Spagnuolo wouldn't say he'd been taken off special teams. The Rams signed return man Danny Amendola off the Eagles' practice squad Tuesday, and Amendola could fill both roles this week.

"It just depends on how quickly we can get him oiled up," Spagnuolo said. "Until we get to the end of the week, we don't really know."

Redskins safety Chris Horton put his helmet on the ball after Avery made a 4-yard reception to the Washington 9 early in the fourth quarter last week, and the Redskins recovered at the 7 to preserve a 9-7 lead that held up.

"They're just making great plays on the ball, they just got lucky," Avery said. "You're not going to be perfect as a receiver."

Center Jason Brown was full go in practice, three days after spraining his right knee. Brown said he's never missed a practice in his career, let alone a game.

"My MCL is pretty tender and I have a right ankle that's pretty tender," Brown said. "But you're expected to play through pain."