Ron Brown’s Ailment Diagnosed as Pancreatitis

The question around Rams Park, “What’s wrong with Ron Brown?” was answered Friday. It’s pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas.

The second-year wide receiver was admitted to Anaheim Memorial Hospital and declared out of Monday night’s game at Seattle.

Bobby Duckworth, acquired from the San Diego Chargers three weeks ago, will start in Brown’s place. The only other wide receivers on the roster are the other starter, Henry Ellard, and rookie Michael Young, a sixth-round draft choice from UCLA. Chuck Scott, a second-round pick from Vanderbilt, must remain on the injured-reserve list for two more games.

Brown, who won an Olympic gold medal on the United States’ 400-meter relay team last year, then caught 23 passes in his rookie season, had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in July. He was expected to return to form within three weeks but lacked his speed when he returned and failed to catch a pass in the first two games.

Coach John Robinson said last week that Brown appeared sluggish.

Trainer Jim Anderson said that Brown complained last week of an upset stomach. “We thought it was the beginning stages of the flu,” he said.

Robinson said: “The knee injury set him back, and as he tried to fight his way back into shape, it got to the point that no matter how hard he tried, he didn’t have any energy. He just lost ground. We began to suspect something. When you’re sick, you don’t play so good.”

Robinson said he had no idea how long Brown would be out. “I don’t even know what the thing is,” he said. “We need to get him back to the kind of bounce we’re used to seeing. He’s an upbeat kind of guy.”

More tests were being given to determine what caused Brown’s ailment.