Rams : Ram Rookie Gary Is Injured in Minor Car Crash in Florida

Ram fullback Cleveland Gary was involved in a minor car accident Tuesday in his hometown of Stuart, Fla.

Gary received 15 stitches in his right knee and suffered cuts and scrapes on the left side of his face.

Gary had been given permission to return home to gather his belongings. The Rams’ first-round pick signed Sept. 7 and received a two-game roster exemption. He was moved to the active roster Monday and was expected to play in Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers.

Ram trainer Jim Anderson said Gary will not play Sunday because the stitches inhibit flexibility in his knee.

“I feel fine,” Gary said. “I just feel sore.”

Gary said the accident occurred when his Jeep was struck by another car at an intersection. He was not cited.

At the time of the accident, Gary was returning to the airport to catch a 6:45 p.m. flight to Los Angeles. Instead, Gary spent a couple of hours at Martin Memorial Hospital and returned to Anaheim early Wednesday morning.

“I’m just glad to be alive,” Gary said. “I could be dead, or had a career-ending injury.”

Ram Notes

Greg Bell missed Wednesday’s practice because of the flu. . . . Larry Kelm’s foot injury continues to perplex the Rams’ medical staff. He has missed four consecutive games with the injury, diagnosed as a separation of the bones in the foot. Kelm tried jogging Monday but couldn’t. “He still can’t put the weight of his body on it,” trainer Jim Anderson said. His return may be weeks away.

Rookie Mark Messner cleared league waivers and was put on the Rams’ developmental squad at $1,000 a week. Messner, the sixth-round pick from Michigan, said he didn’t mind the pay cut. “My dad raised a whole family on that,” he said. “Granted, it wasn’t in California.” . . . The team announced developmental wide receiver Thomas Henley has undergone arthroscopic knee surgery and will be released from his contract. After his rehabilitation, the team is expected to re-assign Henley to the developmental squad. He was replaced by receiver Anthony Sargent.

Correction: The Rams did not lose four in a row after defeating Seattle last season, 31-10, as reported in Tuesday’s paper. The Rams defeated New Orleans, 12-10, the week before the losing streak began.