PRO FOOTBALL REPORT : WEEKDAY UPDATE : RAMS : Perry Injures Knee Again, Carried Off on Stretcher

Tackle Gerald Perry, who injured a muscle behind his right knee on Aug. 1 and has not played in an exhibition, re-injured the same knee in practice and was taken off the field on a golf cart.

Perry suffered a slight knee sprain, according to a Ram spokesman. Perry will not play in Thursday’s exhibition against Houston in Memphis, Tenn.

Perry, who is competing for the starting left tackle spot, was acquired in the draft-day trade that sent Gaston Green and a No. 4 pick to the Denver Broncos. He reported to the Rams on July 30 after being imprisoned for misdemeanor sexual assault and violation of probation and hurt his knee during his second practice with the Rams.

Perry’s presence was one reason the Rams were in no hurry to sign their final holdout, tackle Irv Pankey. Pankey’s agent, Peter Funsten, said there was nothing new to report in negotiations. “We’re in the same place we were in May,” Funsten said.

Veteran defensive tackle Doug Reed asked to be placed on waivers and was granted his request.

Reed, who played eight years with the Rams, turned down a $550,000 offer in January and settled for a $200,000, one-year deal Aug. 6, hoping that he could prove he was worth more.

“I felt like they were fair with me,” Reed said. “They gave me a shot. I was in there to get in shape and show I could still play, but things didn’t work out.”

Last month, Coach John Robinson assessed Reed’s chances of playing with the Rams this year as “zero.”

Others released were tight end Corwin Anthony, defensive tackle Jeff Fields, safety Jeff Hammerschmidt, linebacker Craig Harsuyker, tight end Kirk Kirkpatrick, guard Jeff Pahukoa, tackle Dustin Quinton, center Trevor Ryals, running back Ernie Thompson and linebacker Pat Tyrance.

Marcus Dupree’s injured toe is not healing as quickly as was hoped and his left foot was placed in a splint. Dupree, who was hurt during practice two weeks ago, probably will not play Thursday night and could possibly sit out the regular-season opener.