PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Dupree, Gary Sit Out Game With Oilers

The Rams’ glamorous tailback tandem lost some luster for Thursday night’s game against the Houston Oilers when Marcus Dupree and Cleveland Gary were held out because of injuries.

Dupree, whose left toe has healed slowly since he injured it more than two weeks ago, may not be ready for the regular-season opener next Sunday against the Phoenix Cardinals.

A vanload of Dupree’s family from Jackson, Miss., had made the 2 1/2-hour drive to Memphis to see him play.

Gary, who has been complaining of a sore left rib, was held out of the game because of a hamstring problem.

That left David Lang to get the starting call, and he responded with 57 yards in the first half. He also fumbled twice.

Coach John Robinson wanted center Tom Newberry to get all the game work he could, but he allowed Newberry to leave the team to join his wife Tillie in Florida, where she is due to give birth to twins. Unless there is an unexpected delay, Newberry should rejoin the team Monday.

Newberry is being switched to center this season from left guard and struggled last week in his second exhibition game at the position.

Also not dressed for the Oiler game were safety Alfred Jackson (ankle), tackle Gerald Perry (knee), defensive end Karl Wilson (hamstring) and receiver Henry Ellard (thigh). Perry strained his right knee in practice Tuesday, but an examination showed no ligament damage. . . . Bill Hawkins started in Wilson’s place and Aaron Cox for Ellard. . . . Kicker Tony Zendejas made his first appearance against the Oilers, the team that employed him for six seasons before letting him go to the Rams via Plan B, and had field goals of 46 and 40 yards. The Oilers decided to protect Teddy Garcia instead of Zendejas, but Garcia was waived last week in favor of free agent Ian Howfield.