Injury bug hits Rams as end breaks finger

MEQUON, Wis. -- St. Louis Rams defensive end Victor Adeyanju might have to get used to playing with a cast again.

The third-year player will be sidelined two to four weeks after breaking his right middle finger in practice Sunday. He broke his right forearm during his rookie season in 2006 and returned with the injury protected.

Adeyanju, a fourth-round pick who started seven games last year, was sent back to St. Louis on Monday to have pins inserted. Rams coach Scott Linehan said it could be as short as two weeks and as long as a month before Adeyanju is cleared to return.

He's competing for a backup spot at end after the Rams took Chris Long with the second pick of the draft. Adeyanju started nine games his rookie season after the Rams traded Anthony Hargrove to Buffalo in a disciplinary move, and is perhaps the team's best run defender.

"Once he gets that wound healed, he'll be able to get some work done with a club on that hand," Linehan said. "It's a complete fluke deal."

Safety O.J. Atogwe and tight end Anthony Becht both were held out of the afternoon workout due to hamstring issues, and the team was unclear when either would return. Linebacker Chris Draft missed most of the day due to lower back tightness.

"These are the dog days of training camp, and this is the part we've got to get through and still get our work done," Linehan said.

The Rams added depth in a secondary missing Fakhir Brown (shoulder) for perhaps two weeks, signing cornerback Courtney Grixby, and also claimed offensive tackle Julius Wilson off waivers from the Dolphins. Grixby, who played at Nebraska, was released July 15 by the Panthers after signing as an undrafted player.

Rookie offensive tackle Stephen Sene was released and rookie defensive tackle Josh Thompson likely is to be released with an injury settlement after rupturing the plantar fascia on his left foot.

Noteworthy

• Wide receiver Torry Holt made instant fans in the afternoon practice when he retrieved a ball near the stands after an off-target pass and then flipped it to a young fan. A gaggle of children clamored for more the next several minutes, finally scoring again when Dante Hall tossed a second ball. The Rams swapped out those balls later for older models autographed by Hall, "so it's a good deal for everyone," equipment manager Todd Hewitt said.
• Punter Donnie Jones showed up at camp with a full head of hair, sported a shaggy mohawk look two days in and then a shaved head on the third day. What's next? "I might have to get a toupee."
• Linehan had an enthusiastic thumbs-up for the new training site, and said he sneaks a peek at Lake Michigan, which abuts the Concordia University campus, every day. "It's like five seconds of vacation," Linehan said.