Pharoh Cooper, Nelson Spruce doubtful for Rams; Jared Goff's status uncertainBy Alden Gonzalez
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Los Angeles Rams rookie receivers Pharoh Cooper and Nelson Spruce returned to practice this week, but both were listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from Raymond James Stadium.
As for whether Jared Goff will be the backup quarterback again?
"Come to the game," Rams coach Jeff Fisher said after Friday's practice from Cal Lutheran University.
Goff, the No. 1 overall pick, began the season as an inactive third-string quarterback, then flipped with Sean Mannion and served as the backup to Case Keenum for Week 2. Fisher said at the time he wasn't certain if he would continue to alternate Goff and Mannion in that role, but did confirm Friday that only one of them will be active. Asked whether the depth chart would remain the same in Week 3, Fisher said: "Don't know yet. Have to wait and see."
The Rams will also wait and see on cornerback E.J. Gaines, who missed the first two games with an injury to his left thigh and was listed as questionable on the team's injury report Friday. Gaines was a limited participant for the Rams' three practices this week and, if healthy, would solidify a No. 2 cornerback spot that has been in a flux. It is especially crucial this week, with running back Doug Martin out for the Rams and quarterback Jameis Winston expected to throw the ball frequently.
If not Gaines, Troy Hill -- a 5-foot-10, 182-pound second-year corner out of Oregon -- will probably start on the outside, opposite Trumaine Johnson.
Hill replaced Coty Sensabaugh early in Sunday's 9-3 win over the Seattle Seahawks and was tested deep four times by Russell Wilson. One resulted in a defensive pass interference, another was an offensive pass interference, another was a batted ball and the last one was a 53-yard hookup with Tyler Lockett with less than a minute remaining, Hill's desperation ankle tackle the only thing preventing a game-winning score.
Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams said Hill "got thrown in the fire" on Sunday and felt he "adapted well."
"He's got a few plays he'd want back," Williams said, "but he did play well and it says good things about him."
Some additional notes from Friday's practice ...
Third-down running back Benny Cunningham was also listed as questionable for Sunday's game with a knee injury, as were free safety Maurice Alexander (thigh) and slot cornerback Lamarcus Joyner (foot). They all practiced on a limited basis throughout the week.
The Rams waived Steve Williams and promoted fellow cornerback Isaiah Johnson from the practice squad. Williams was signed a couple of weeks earlier after being waived by the San Diego Chargers. Johnson spent last season with the Detroit Lions.
Williams, on Joyner playing through a broken toe in Week 2 (something he vows to continue doing): "That’s what you’re supposed to do. If you’re on the golf tour, maybe you take a day off. But you don’t do it in this league. Russell Wilson didn’t take a day off, and Lamarcus doesn’t take a day off. The reason he’s here is we saw that in him. It doesn’t surprise me at all. He’s a very strong-willed, tough kid, and that’s the nature of our business. When you’re not that way, you’re not very good.”
Fisher called the Bucs waiving tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins after he was arrested for a DUI charge on Friday morning "very unfortunate." "It’s just a great example -- players need to make better choices, you know. [It] hurt the football team."
