PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Rocker’s Prayers Go Out to Utley

Ram rookie defensive tackle David Rocker, whose collision with Detroit Lion guard Mike Utley last Sunday resulted in Utley’s paralyzation, spoke of the incident Thursday.

“You realize that’s part of the game, and every time you take the field there is a possibility that it may happen to you,” Rocker said. “Unfortunately, in all of my days playing football, something as tragic as Mike Utley’s injury had to occur in my first NFL game.

“My thoughts and prayers go out to Mike, his family and the Detroit Lions. I’m sorry that it happened, and the incident will be something that will remain with me for the rest of my life.”

Utley had his fifth, sixth and seventh vertebrae fused during a four-hour procedure Thursday and doctors said he will never walk again.

The Rams officially activated middle linebacker Frank Stams, who had been on injured reserve, and put tackle Gerald Perry and cornerback Robert Bailey on the injured list. Perry has a knee injury, Bailey a finger problem.

The Rams also moved offensive lineman Jeff Pahukoa from their practice squad to the active roster, and waived cornerback Rodney Thomas off the injured list. Thomas probably will be activated today, but because the Rams used their last free injured-reserve activation with Stams, Thomas must first go through waivers.