Brock Is Sidelined 4-6 Weeks : Ram Quarterback to Have Surgery on His Left Knee
The Rams lost a quarterback and probably one juicy controversy Monday when it was announced that Dieter Brock will undergo arthroscopic knee surgery today at Centinela Hospital Medical Center.
He is expected to be out four to six weeks.
Brock, in heated competition with Steve Bartkowski for the starting quarterback spot, injured the knee in the first quarter of last Tuesday night’s exhibition opener against Houston when he was hit by Oiler safety Bo Eason.
No X-rays were taken afterward, and the injury was diagnosed as a bruise.
Brock missed three days of practice and returned Saturday, two days ahead of schedule.
But he said the knee swelled up Saturday night and bothered him again Sunday. He had more tests taken Monday morning and a partial cartilage tear in his left knee was discovered.
Surgery will be performed by Dr. Clarence Childs, the Ram team physician.
“I’m real disappointed,” Brock said from home Monday night. “I didn’t expect it to be this bad. But it happened, and now I’ve got to get it fixed. I don’t know how long I’ll be out, but it will probably be at least until the first week of the season. I’m sure there will be a starting quarterback by then.”
And he , of course, would appear to be the 12-year veteran Bartkowksi, who was obtained in the off season just in case something like this happened.
“We might not have been as stupid as we appeared at the time,” Coach John Robinson said of signing Bartkowski, released by the Atlanta Falcons last season.
But Robinson still isn’t conceding the job to the 33-year-old quarterback, once considered one of the premier passers in the National Football League.
“Let’s let him earn the job,” Robinson said. “Let him play better than (backup Steve) Dils. It’s only safe to say that Bartkowksi will be the starter against the 49ers next Monday, and Dils will play the second half.”
Bartkowski, who heard the news about Brock before Monday’s practice, said he doesn’t expect any favors.
“Obviously, there’s one less guy now,” he said. “But it doesn’t change anything. I’ll get a few more snaps and more playing time, which is good for me. But I’m sorry the way things unfolded.”
Of course, there are more pressing questions, such as what might happen when Brock returns in September.
But Robinson wouldn’t even offer a hint.
“There’s no point in predicting six weeks ahead.” he said. “It’s disappointing because it was a helluva contest. He (Dieter) will just have to take a back seat for six weeks.”
Robinson said the Rams will attempt to sign another quarterback soon, but don’t expect him to be Doug Flutie.
The Rams own the rights to the former Boston College and USFL star, but Robinson said the new quarterback will definitely be a mop-up guy, possibly ex-Ram and former USC Trojan, Scott Tinsley.
Brock’s injury is the latest in a series for the Rams. They already have lost All-Pro cornerback Gary Green for the season because of a bulging disc in his neck.
There’s been a lot of heavy hitting in camp this year, but Robinson says it’s not the reason for the rash of injuries.
“This is the hardest, most competitive camp I’ve ever been around,” Robinson said, “But we’re not hurting people on the practice field. Green was hurt last year. And Jim Collins in the Pro Bowl.”
The news Monday wasn’t all bad. Safety Johnnie Johnson, recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery, said he’ll return to practice next week.
And All-Pro linebacker Collins, who is suffering from a pinched nerve in his shoulder, will return to practice today after conferring with Robinson and team doctors.
Collins’ injury has weakened the deltoid muscle in the shoulder, affecting his tackling ability.
Collins was the Rams’ leading tackler the past two seasons.
Robinson said Monday, though, that Collins would return to practice, although he will likely miss the next two exhibition games.
“We’re just going through a tumultuous time with injuries,” Robinson said. “But once things smooth out, I expect that we’ll be a good team.”
Ram Notes With players falling left and right, Coach John Robinson expressed a desperate need to get holdout wide receiver, Henry Ellard, back in camp. “Henry will become a major issue soon,” Robinson said. The Rams, under quarterback coach Dick Coury, are trying to institute a wide-open offense, but it’s difficult to do with your leading receiver running routes in Fresno. “I’m very hopeful of getting something happening soon,” Robinson said of contract negotiations with Ellard. But Ellard’s agent, Mike Blatt, said Monday that he hasn’t spoken with the Rams in more than a month. . . . It has been a rough week for offensive tackle Mike Schad. Schad, the Rams’ first-round draft choice, is being knocked all over the practice field. Monday, the Rams turned nose guard Shawn Miller loose on Schad. It was no contest as Miller had Schad spinning like a turnstile. “He has to recognize the level of competition,” Robinson said of Schad. “It’s emotionally humiliating for him and, besides, he’s getting the crap beat out of him.” Schad, obviously frustrated, picked a fight with Miller near the end of practice. The two players rolled on the ground a bit before being separated by teammate Kent Hill. . . . Tight end Tony Hunter (tendinitis) and linebacker Mike Wilcher (sore toe) missed Monday’s practice.
