Banged-Up Dickerson Is Given Day Off : He Watches With Hand and Ankle Injuries as the Rams Practice

Eric Dickerson, who broke a bone in his left hand at Seattle during the Rams’ 35-24 victory Monday night, didn’t practice Wednesday because of a bruised right ankle.

Both injuries occurred Monday night, but nobody mentioned them then. Dickerson was upset that the hand injury had been made public and was concerned that the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday’s opponent, may zero in on the injury.

“If I was playing on the other side of the ball and I knew a running back had a hurt hand or foot, anything hurt, I’m gonna make sure I try to work on that injury,” he said. But he added, “No one intimidates me, even with my hand.”

Dickerson, playing his first game Monday night after a summer-long holdout, complained of a bruised hand in the dressing room afterward. But what is being called a “small crack” by Ram officials wasn’t discovered until late Tuesday.”

Coach John Robinson didn’t mention it either when listing team injuries during his Tuesday press luncheon or when questioned about Dickerson’s practice schedule for the week. He didn’t even tell the Rams’ public relations staff.

“We just didn’t handle it very well,” Robinson said Wednesday. “It was never an issue in my mind.”

The ankle injury, which came on the last of his 31 rushing attempts Monday night, wasn’t mentioned until Wednesday, when the Rams were about to start practice without Dickerson. He dressed in a T-shirt and shorts, with both hands taped.

That should confuse the Falcons.

Later, after treatments, he left Rams Park with the left hand heavily wrapped.

“It’s not that bad,” he said. “I can play.”

The Rams listed Dickerson as “probable” when the official National Football League injury list was posted Wednesday. A club spokesman said the injuries were so insignificant that Dickerson wouldn’t have been listed at all if he weren’t so prominent.

“(Even) if he were a quarterback he would play this weekend,” Robinson said. “Believe me. The issue isn’t going to be an issue by Sunday.”

The ankle injury didn’t appear to be serious. Dickerson jogged around frequently during practice.

Dickerson said: “It feels fine. He (Robinson) just gave me the day off. I could run on it.”

Robinson said he didn’t think the Falcons would try to aggravate Dickerson’s hand injury.

“I think he’s growing to the status a Walter Payton has that no one tries to intimidate him,” Robinson said. “You don’t bother to try those kinds of things that only get you a more aroused football player.”

But Jack Youngblood disagreed. The recently retired All-Pro defensive end, who still works out at Rams Park, said: “Sure. Certainly. There’s some young ones out there that will take advantage of any opportunity to hurt somebody. You don’t quite have the same attitude when you get older and more mature. We’re competing. We’re not trying to hurt people.”

Falcon Coach Dan Henning said by phone from Atlanta: “Well, we’re aware he has a broken bone in his hand, but we have to tackle Eric Dickerson whenever he has the football. Tell him we apologize.

“I don’t think anybody would legitimately try and hurt his hand.”

Ram Notes

Dr. Toby Freedman of the Ram medical staff said that wide receiver Ron Brown “is doing remarkably well” in recovering from pancreatitis. Freedman said that Brown’s case was “moderately acute.” He has already started to do weight work and is due to start running next week. . . . Among other Ram casualties, guard Dennis Harrah (torn thigh muscle) is listed as “doubtful” against Atlanta, although he says he “definitely” will return by the following week. Reserve linebacker Norwood Vann is “questionable” with a knee injury. . . . Offensive tackle Bill Bain didn’t practice Wednesday because of the flu.