PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Gary Nursing Tender Hamstring

Cleveland Gary, perhaps the leading candidate to become the Rams’ starting tailback, was held out of Thursday’s practice because he was suffering tenderness in his hamstring.

Gary appears to have the right kind of power-running style for Coach Chuck Knox’s workhorse role, but his apparently bright future was dimmed by fumble problems two years ago and nagging injuries last season.

Others in the running are Derek Loville, rookie Joe Campbell, Marcus Dupree and David Lang.

The Rams still are apparently far from agreement on a deal with No. 2 pick Steve Israel, and Knox suggested that he did not draft the cornerback to have him in Pittsburgh while the team practices.

“Any time a player misses practice it hurts,” Knox said. “But particularly so for a rookie. You take a corner, a player that you’ve projected that if he doesn’t start he’d be a factor in your ‘nickel’ . . . there’s a lot to learning all of that because you play so many different coverages.”

Receiver Henry Ellard is being held out of work because of a sore hamstring. He was hurt practicing for the triple jump in the Olympic trials. . . . Knox refused to comment on whether he was fining tailback Robert Delpino, who is under contract but has refused to report to camp and is seeking a renegotiated deal.