Roster

Notable players cut by the Rams Friday include: DT Cornell Banks; QB Tom Brandstater; DE Mason Brodine; LB Aaron Brown; LB Sammy Brown; DB Kendric Burney; QB Kellen Clemens; DE Vernon Gholston; TE Ben Guidugli; TE Cory Harkey; DE Jamaar Jarrett; WR Nick Johnson; FB Ovie Mughelli; TE Deangelo Peterson; RB Chase Reynolds and DE Scott Smith.

TheSidelineView.com reports Rams safety Darian Barnes signed his one-year restricted free agent tender.

Jeff Fisher didn't shy away from expectations for rookie receiver Tavon Austin's workload this season, telling the media that he will most definitely be involved. "[W]e’re going to try to get the ball to him as often as we can, however we do that," Fisher said. "He’s very talented. We drafted him because he’s got receiver skills, run skills, return skills, so we hope that we can use him in all those areas."

Notable players cut by the Rams Friday include: DT Cornell Banks; QB Tom Brandstater; DE Mason Brodine; LB Aaron Brown; LB Sammy Brown; DB Kendric Burney; QB Kellen Clemens; DE Vernon Gholston; TE Ben Guidugli; TE Cory Harkey; DE Jamaar Jarrett; WR Nick Johnson; FB Ovie Mughelli; TE Deangelo Peterson; RB Chase Reynolds and DE Scott Smith.

Notable players cut by the Rams Friday include: DT Cornell Banks; QB Tom Brandstater; DE Mason Brodine; LB Aaron Brown; LB Sammy Brown; DB Kendric Burney; QB Kellen Clemens; DE Vernon Gholston; TE Ben Guidugli; TE Cory Harkey; DE Jamaar Jarrett; WR Nick Johnson; FB Ovie Mughelli; TE Deangelo Peterson; RB Chase Reynolds and DE Scott Smith.

Notable players cut by the Rams Friday include: DT Cornell Banks; QB Tom Brandstater; DE Mason Brodine; LB Aaron Brown; LB Sammy Brown; DB Kendric Burney; QB Kellen Clemens; DE Vernon Gholston; TE Ben Guidugli; TE Cory Harkey; DE Jamaar Jarrett; WR Nick Johnson; FB Ovie Mughelli; TE Deangelo Peterson; RB Chase Reynolds and DE Scott Smith.

Zac Stacy made draft-day history for his school. He made the St. Louis Rams pretty happy, too. The Rams were so enamored of the Vanderbilt running back that they finished off their draft class early by trading up to get Stacy in the fifth round on Saturday. Besides holding school records for rushing yards and touchdowns, the 5-8, 216-pound Stacy is the first Vandy back to get chosen since the NFL went to a seven-round draft. He's the school's first back to get drafted, period, since the New Orleans Saints took Frank Mordica in the ninth round in 1980. The Rams traded both of their sixth-rounders to Houston for the chance to snag him and end Vandy's 33-year slump. "Zac is a very explosive runner," coach Jeff Fisher said. "He's a complete back and a strong inside kind of power runner that kind of gives us a change of pace."

Rams defensive end Chris Long restructured his contract according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

After a tumultuous couple of seasons in Detroit, the Lions released receiver Titus Young in February, and it's telling that there hasn't been much, if any, interest in the talented, yet troubled receiver. Getting arrested twice in a 15-hour span probably won't help. But that's where Young found himself Sunday, according to the Oakland Press, when he was handcuffed a little after midnight for suspicion of DUI and again at about 2:22 p.m. when Young allegedly was trying to retrieve his black Mustang from a tow company yard. He has been charged with burglary in his second arrest after police say he was trying to take back the car that was impounded after his first arrest.

Knee - Probable for start of training camp

Notable Titans players cut on Friday include: WR Devin Aguilar, TE Brandon Barden, DT Zach Clayton, NT Lamar Divens, DB Aaron Francisco, TE Cameron Graham, CB Chris Hawkins, WR James Kirkendoll, FB Collin Mooney, WR Michael Preston, DT Malcolm Sheppard, DB Tracy Wilson and WR D.J. Woods.

The Rams made a bold move in the NFL Draft Thursday night by trading up in the first round to select West Virginia receiver Tavon Austin at No. 8 overall. That should make quarterback Sam Bradford happy. Austin will help the Rams replace the departed Danny Amendola, except Austin is a much more explosive player.

St. Louis signed LB Justin Cole off of the Kansas City practice squad on Tuesday. With both DB Al Harris and TE Michael Hoomanawanui headed to injured reserve with ACL injuries, the Rams needed to add to their roster.

The Rams have selected their second prolific West Virginia wide receiver of the NFL draft, taking Stedman Bailey in the third round. The Rams traded up eight spots in the first round to get Tavon Austin with the eighth overall pick Thursday night. One day later, they added Bailey, who has 4.4-second 40-yard dash speed, with the 92nd pick. The 5-9 1-2, 197-pound Bailey caught 114 passes for 25 touchdowns with a 14.2-yard average. He had 13 catches for 303 yards and five touchdowns against Baylor and had four touchdowns catches against Oklahoma.

Rams rookie defensive back Janoris Jenkins intercepted a pass in the second quarter Week 16 at Tampa Bay and returned it 41 yards for a touchdown. It was his fourth interception of the season, but more notably, it was the third he returned for a touchdown, tying him with Ronnie Lott and Lem Barney for the most ever by a rookie. Jenkins also had six tackles, all solo, in the contest.

Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson was arrested Friday for driving under the influence, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Rams WR Mark Clayton, placed on IR on Nov. 24 because of ailing knees, had microfracture surgery on Tuesday to “knock some cartilage off the bone,” he said on Twitter. The knee surgery was performed by renowned sports surgeon, Dr. James Andrews, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Active for the first time since Week 3 against Baltimore, Rams RB Jerious Norwood got into the action Week 12 against Arizona. Norwood backed up starting RB Steven Jackson in the performance as he saw some scattered carries throughout the game. Norwood rushed five times for 22 yards. He was targeted once in the passing game but did not make a catch.

CBSSports.com NFL Insider Jason La Canfora believes Jared Cook is a candidate to break out in his first year with the Rams. La Canfora correctly notes that he was "handcuffed" by poor quarterback play in Tennessee and figures to be utilized much more often in St. Louis. La Canfora thinks Cook will replace Danny Amendola as Sam Bradford's "security blanket."

Shoulder - Probable for start of training camp

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports the Rams placed defensive lineman Trevor Laws (knee) on injured reserve Monday.

St. Louis defensive back Cortland Finnegan is active and starting in the Week 17 season finale at Seattle. Finnegan was not listed among the team's inactives Sunday despite dealing with a nagging thigh issue. Finnegan has yet to miss any playing time this season for the Rams.

Rams DB James Butler was inactive for the second straight game in Week 11 against the Falcons. He has been dealing with a knee injury and there is no timetable for his return.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that following the draft, the Rams starting receivers are Brian Quick and Chris Givens with rookie Tavon Austin in the slot. Fellow rookie Steadman Bailey is No. 4 on the depth chart.

Rams linebacker Sammy Brown was elevated from the practice squad to the active roster for the Week 13 game against San Francisco. He is the replacement for the injured Mario Haggan. The Rams sent cornerback Quinton Pointer to the P-squad.

Rams linebacker Mario Haggan left early in the first quarter of Week 11 against the Jets with an elbow issue, the team announced. His return is questionable. Haggan appeared to suffer the injury on the third play of the game while attempting to make a tackle in the backfield on New York quarterback Tim Tebow. He did not record a tackle before departing.

Al Harris announced his retirement on Wednesday. He played in nine games for the Rams this season before being placed on season-ending IR due to a torn ACL.

Rams linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar had a big performance in the Week 17 regular-season finale at Seattle Sunday. Dunbar recorded 11 tackles in the losing effort to lead the team. He also had one of the six sacks against quarterback Russell Wilson in the game. Four of his 11 tackles were of the solo variety.

The Rams have selected Southern California safety T.J. McDonald in the third round of the NFL Draft. The 6-2, 219-pound McDonald led the Trojans with 112 tackles as a senior and could fill one of the Rams' two starting vacancies at safety. McDonald's father, Tim McDonald, was a six-time Pro Bowl player who was a rookie with the Cardinals in 1987, their final season in St. Louis before moving to Arizona.

St. Louis DL James Hall is inactive for Week 15 against Cincinnati because of a chest injury. Hall was listed as questionable on the team's injury report after not practicing last week.

With the 30th pick in the first round, the Rams selected linebacker Alec Ogletree out of Georgia. Ogletree's off-field issues had everything to do with him slipping down draft boards. Considered the most athletic player on a Georgia team that included Jarvis Jones, Ogletree's DUI arrest a week before the combine raised plenty of red flags and scared off potential suitors in the process. There's also the concern that Ogletree (6-3, 242, 4.68 40) is a finesse player, the last thing you want to hear when describing a linebacker. That said, he's solid in coverage, which makes him a three-down player, and he oozes athleticism. The bottom line, however, will probably come down to whether Ogletree can avoid the trappings of money and fame that come with the NFL lifestyle.

Rams defensive lineman Eugene Sims recorded his third sack of the season and second in three games Week 15 against the Vikings. He also had two tackles, both solo.

Rams coach Jeff Fisher is certain that Isaiah Pead's weak rookie stats were because he was parked behind Steven Jackson and Daryl Richardson on the depth chart. That's going to change with Jackson moving on to Atlanta. "He'll get his opportunity this year," Fisher said per the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. ... He's got a chance to make a lot of big plays for us."

Rams DL Fred Robbins notched his sixth sack of the season in Week 16 against the 49ers. Robbins finished with three tackles in the 25-17 win and also was credited with a pass defended and fumble recovery in the contest.

Rams coach Jeff Fisher believes that Daryl Richardson will see more playing time in 2013 after seeing his reps diminish toward the second half of last season. Expecting a split with Isaiah Pead, Fisher believes Richardson could make contributions through the air. "We've got to get the ball to him in the passing game more so than we did (in 2012)," Fisher said to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "We were spreading it around, but we weren't necessarily going to the backs as much as we would've liked. It would be a great situation where that’s an extension of the run game, to get him out in space."

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that following the draft, the Rams starting receivers are Brian Quick and Chris Givens with rookie Tavon Austin in the slot. Fellow rookie Steadman Bailey is No. 4 on the depth chart.

With Steven Jackson expected to hit the free-agent market this offseason, attention has turned to the Rams' remaining running back corps. At the NFL combine Rams head coach Jeff Fisher and general manager Les Snead expressed optimism in both Isaiah Pead and Daryl Richardson. Fisher said both have the capability of being every-down backs, though he added Pead was the one they took because they thought he could be "the guy," according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

The Rams announced the signing of defensive lineman Kendall Langford on Saturday night. "Kendall is a big, physical player who will be a great addition to our defensive line," coach Jeff Fisher said of the 6-foot-6, 295-pounder who spent four years in Miami. "He's tough and he always plays hard. We're excited about what he’ll bring to the rotation up front."

Rams defensive lineman Robert Quinn, who dealing with an illness leading up to the game, is active for Week 16 at Tampa Bay. He was listed as probable on Friday's injury report.

Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein missed yet another field goal during the Week 17 regular-season finale at Seattle Sunday. Zuerlein has a big leg, but has been inconsistent at times and finished 2 for 3 on field goals in the finale with a long of 39 yards. Zuerlein added an extra point and finished with seven points scored on the afternoon.

Rams linebacker Sammy Brown was elevated from the practice squad to the active roster for the Week 13 game against San Francisco. He is the replacement for the injured Mario Haggan. The Rams sent cornerback Quinton Pointer to the P-squad.

Rams wide receiver Austin Pettis found the end zone during the Week 17 regular-season finale at Seattle Sunday. Quarterback Sam Bradford found Pettis in the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown in the first quarter for the Rams' first score of the game. Pettis finished the contest with three catches for 24 yards. He was targeted five times overall by Bradford in the final game of the season for the Rams.

Rams tight end Lance Kendricks was limited in the Week 17 regular-season finale at Seattle Sunday. Kendricks saw just four targets in the game from quarterback Sam Bradford. He did not catch a touchdown pass and was limited to just three grabs for 33 yards.

St. Louis signed TE Mike McNeill off Indianapolis’ practice squad on Tuesday to take the roster spot of LB Josh Hull, who was placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury.

Rams linebacker Rocky McIntosh totaled five tackles (four solo) and one interception Week 4 vs. Seattle. It was his fourth career interception. He has 13 tackles (10 solo) through four games.

The Rams released linebacker David Nixon and wide receiver Nick Miller, who was facing a four-game suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs. The team also did not offer a tender to restricted free agent defensive end C.J. Ah You.

St. Louis linebacker James Laurinaitis is starting in the Week 17 season finale at Seattle. He was a slight question mark for the Sunday game as he continues to deal with a nagging back injury. Laurinaitis has yet to miss any playing time this season, however.

Rams rookie defensive lineman Michael Brockers had the best game of his career Sunday against the Bills in Week 14. He racked up a career high seven tackles -- four solo -- while matching his best game with 1.5 sacks. He added a forced fumble, causing teammate Robert Quinn to tell reporters, “He had another huge game today,” he said. “It’s his time, you know?"

For the first time this season, RB Cadillac Williams reached the end zone, but the Rams lost to the 49ers in Week 17. Williams gained just 17 yards on seven carries, but he scored on a 1-yard run with fewer than five minutes left in the game. Williams' score brought the Rams within seven points of the lead, but they failed to score again in the game's final minutes.

The Rams reported just one injury following their Week 2 loss at the Giants. LB Ben Leber has been diagnosed with a strained groin and is expected to be evaluated when the team returns to St. Louis, according to CBSSports.com Rams Rapid Reporter Alex Raskin.

St. Louis LB Josh Hull was placed on injured reserve Tuesday after suffering a serious ankle injury in Week 15 against Cincinnati. Hull left the locker room Sunday in a walking boot.

Rams DB Roderick Hood came up with an interception of Arizona QB John Skelton on Sunday of Week 12. Hood did not make a tackle in the performance.

Notable players the Bears either waived or released Friday include: LB Xavier Adibi, RB Armando Allen, WR Joe Anderson, CB Cornelius Brown, WR Terriun Crump, DE Chauncey Davis, WR Rashied Davis, CB Isaiah Frey, WR Brittan Golden, SB Mark LeGree, QB Josh McCown, CB Greg McCoy, DT Jordan Miller, TE Brandon Venson, DE Aston Whiteside, CB Jonathan Wilhite and LB Jabara Williams.

ESPN is among a number of sources reporting the Rams will cut safety Quintin Mikell. He would have counted $9 million against the salary cap.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports the Rams and DT Jermelle Cudjo have agreed to a two-year deal. Cudjo started four games last season finishing with 39 tackles and a sack.

USA Today reports the Rams have signed quarterback Kellen Clemens to a one-year, league-minimum contract. He'll battle to back up Sam Bradford in 2013.

For the fourth straight week, Rams backup QB A.J. Feeley (thumb) was among his team's inactives. Therefore, he will not replace the injured Sam Bradford (ankle) in Week 17 against the 49ers, so the start will go to Kellen Clemens.

Rams defensive lineman William Hayes had his first two-sack game of the season Week 16 at Tampa Bay. He also had four tackles, including three solo. He's up to six sacks now on the year.

The Dallas Cowboys made their first round of cuts Monday and released the following players: wide receiver Raymond Radway; kicker Delbert Alvarado; defensive back C.J. Wilson; tight end Harry Flaherty; running back Javarris Williams and wide receiver David Little.