Rams Notebook : Win Over Chiefs Extracted a Price : Three Hurt, Vann to Have Arthroscopic Knee Surgery

Wide receiver Bobby Duckworth suffered a hip pointer midway through the second period Sunday. He didn’t return to the game, leaving the Rams with only three wide receivers: Henry Ellard, Ron Brown and Michael Young.

Special teams leader Norwood Vann hurt his right knee. He will undergo arthroscopic surgery today to determine the extent of the damage.

Offensive guard Tony Slaton suffered a strained knee in the first half, but returned and finished the game.

Dieter Brock, for one, knows the Rams offense has been disappointing. “With the way our defense is playing, if we (the offense) ever get it going, we’re going to have one hell of a team.

“The way the defense has been controlling things, it’s taken some of the aggressiveness out of our offense. The instinct is to make sure you don’t blow the game.”

Kansas City quarterback Bill Kenney, who was forced to miss Sunday’s game because of injuries, said he will be able to start next week. His health may have improved following Todd Blackledge’s performance against the Rams. Blackledge threw six interceptions. Last season, in 294 attempts, Blackledge had six interceptions.

“I would anticipate Bill would be ready to play again,” said Blackledge. “He’ll probably be back in the starting lineup.”

Said Blackledge of his day: “It’s kind of tough right now. I’m not going to let this thing whip me. I’ve worked too hard in my career to let this get me down.”

Ram Coach John Robinson turned diplomatic when asked about Blackledge’s ineffectiveness.

“I think it hurt them,” said Robinson of the change from Kenney to Blackledge. “He is a No. 1 draft choice and he is a veteran, but you’ll have to ask them about his play. I will say we did have their receivers well covered.”

The Rams broke a Kansas City streak Sunday. Wide receiver Stephone Paige had caught at least one pass in each of the last 18 games. He didn’t catch any on Sunday.

Following his interception of a Blackledge pass late in the third period, Ram cornerback LeRoy Irvin threw a hand towel at Kansas City receiver Anthony Hancock and then spiked the ball.

“He grabbed my facemask and was trying to hold me down on the ground,” Irvin said. “I wanted to get up and show off a little bit.”

Said Hancock: “I guess he was mad because I was trying to strip the ball from him. I didn’t pay no attention to it.”

More Irvin on next Sunday’s showdown against the 49ers: “They’ve still got as much talent as anyone in the league. They’re struggling, that’s true, but they’re better than 3-4.”