Rams ready for some rest

ST. LOUIS -- At their bye week, the St. Louis Rams are relatively healthy.

Still, coach Scott Linehan says the break will help players who are nicked up to get ready for the remainder of the season.

After a short walk-through at Rams Park on Wednesday, bye week officially began for the Rams (4-2). They return Oct. 29 at San Diego (4-1).

"We have the ability now to evaluate what we're doing in all three phases and get a little bit healthier," Linehan said. "The injury bug is starting to catch up to us, as far as guys missing games, time and practice."

The injuries are minor, the biggest concern being the fullback spot. Starter Paul Smith is expected to miss another month or so after injuring his face against Detroit on Oct. 1. Backup fullback Madison Hedgecock broke his right thumb in Sunday's 30-28 loss to the Seahawks but may play against the Chargers.

"Even though we don't have a lot of guys on the injury report, but we do have a lot of guys that need to get healthier so we're able to go into the last 10 regular-season games and just refocus what we need to do," Linehan said.

The break was bittersweet for some players still stinging from losing to Seattle on a last-second 54-yard field goal.

"Losing before the bye, I think it gave us extra motivation to really work hard, and to really sit back and think about things, and come back next week and just get ready to play," rookie cornerback Tye Hill said.

Defensive tackle La'Roi Glover said the bye week should give the Rams "an extra jump on the Chargers" with an extra week to prepare.

"But in order to get where we need to go, big plays have got to be eliminated," Glover said.

After the Chargers, the Rams play at home against Kansas City (2-3), then road games in Seattle (4-1) and Carolina (4-2).