PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Delpino Missing From Check-In

Running back Robert Delpino, who is under contract and had indicated he would show up to camp on time, had not reported to Rams camp by 7 p.m. Tuesday, more than an hour after signed veterans were required to check in at UC Irvine.

Delpino has let it be known he isn’t happy with his 1992 scheduled salary of $325,000 after being voted the team’s MVP last season, and skipped last month’s mini-camp in protest.

But it was expected he would come to camp and hope for a new deal down the road.

“I haven’t talked with him, so I really don’t know what his situation is,” Ram Coach Chuck Knox said Tuesday evening. “I need to talk with him first.”

The Rams’ front office has told Delpino that the team won’t discuss any kind of new deal for him unless he reports to camp.

Knox said he wouldn’t decide whether to fine Delpino (NFL rules stipulate a fine of $1,500 a day for signed players absent from camp) until he hears from him. By rule, players without a contract cannot attend camp.

Also missing at the check-in meeting were tackle Jackie Slater and strong safety Michael Stewart. Neither has a contract. Also, No. 2 draft choice Steve Israel remains unsigned, far from agreement, and out of camp.

Full-team two-a-day workouts, after the week of work by rookies and inexperienced players that concluded Tuesday, begin this morning.

Also Tuesday, the Rams announced the signings of tight end Pat Carter, receiver Aaron Cox, running back Marcus Dupree, punter Barry Helton, cornerback Darryl Henley and safety Anthony Newman.

In order to get their roster to the 80-man training camp limit, the Rams will have to clear four spots by this morning.

Second-year running back David Lang led the Rams with 16 yards in five carries, but fumbled once, lost the ball once just after a play was called dead and lost a fumble in an earlier run drill.

No. 1 pick Sean Gilbert saw limited action in the scrimmage and the line drills.

Rookie guard Shawn Harper, who could be a key backup this season, hurt his left leg in the full-unit scrimmage , but a few minutes later was walking on his own power.