Benny Cunningham looking for first special teams TD

Benny Cunningham looking for first special teams TD

By Jack Wang, Los Angeles Daily News

[www.pasadenastarnews.com]

THOUSAND OAKS >> The Rams’ 31-23 win over the Buccaneers last December is memorable for many reasons.

It featured the NFL Color Rush jerseys, prompting Tampa Bay quarterback Jameis Winston to reflect on it this week as the “ketchup and mustard game.” It was the day Todd Gurley crossed the 1,000-yard rushing mark, becoming the first Rams rookie to do so since Jerome Bettis in 1993. And, of course, it turned out to be the team’s final appearance at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis.

Also worth remembering is Benny Cunningham’s performance. The running back had a career day as a kick returner, taking back the opening kickoff for 44 yards, and popping off a 102-yard return in the fourth quarter.

However, that triple-digit run having placed him three yards shy of the end zone. Sunday’s game in Tampa Bay could offer him another chance to break through: the Buccaneers are allowing 28.3 yards per kick return this season, fifth-most in the league.

“I remember our special teams being a big part of the game,” Cunningham said Friday. “We just want to look at film, kind of remember how we helped contribute last year, build on that, and take that into this game.”

Despite not scoring any special teams touchdowns, the 5-foot-10, 217-pound back has been among the league’s top-five kick returners over the past two seasons, collecting 1,736 yards since the beginning of 2014.

WHO’S AVAILABLE?

Case Keenum is set to make his 18th career start at quarterback, but head coach Jeff Fisher declined to reveal who will be backing him up. That role will most likely fall to Jared Goff, the top overall pick who moved up to No. 2 on the depth chart for last week’s 9-3 home win over the Seahawks.

Fisher said he would only dress two quarterbacks, which means that either Goff or former third-round pick Sean Mannion will be inactive in Tampa Bay.

On defense, the Rams could welcome back E.J. Gaines, who has not played a regular-season game since Dec. 21, 2014. The cornerback — listed as “questionable” this weekend — missed all of last season with a fractured foot, and is currently recovering from a hamstring injury.

Rookie receivers Pharoh Cooper (shoulder) and Nelson Spruce (knee) are listed as doubtful to play.

ROSTER MOVE

The Rams waived cornerback Steve Williams on Friday, parting ways with the former fifth-round pick just two weeks after signing him. Before landing in Los Angeles, the 25-year-old appeared in 27 games over two seasons with the Chargers, making two starts and two interceptions.

Williams was inactive against both the 49ers in Week 1 or the Seahawks in Week 2.

His spot on the Rams’ roster was filled by defensive back Isaiah Johnson, who was promoted from the practice squad.