PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Gilbert Should Play Against Packers

Barring late complications, No. 1 draft choice Sean Gilbert’s right ankle is probably sound enough for the 315-pound defensive tackle to make his NFL debut in Saturday night’s exhibition against the Green Bay Packers at Anaheim Stadium.

“It looks pretty good right now,” Ram Coach Chuck Knox said after Thursday’s light practice. “We just have to again wait and see whether or not there’s any swelling, based on the amount of work he got today.”

Gilbert sprained his ankle on Aug. 1 and missed the team’s first two exhibition games. He resumed working out Wednesday.

“He hasn’t played,” Knox said. “I don’t think we’ll go out there and try to make an iron man out of him, that ankle being what it is. I don’t think that would make any sense. But we’ll play him. It’d be nice to get a good workout.”

Knox is planning to play the starting offensive and defensive units throughout the first half plus one or two series in the second half.

After Jim Everett finishes his stint as the quarterback, Knox said impressive rookie T.J. Rubley will get the call, possibly to finish the game. But Knox emphasized that veteran backup Mike Pagel is in no danger of losing his spot as the No. 2 quarterback.

“We know what Mike Pagel can do,” Knox said. “He’s a veteran guy, 10 years in the league, he knows the system. We just want to get this other guy ready, give him an opportunity. But Mike Pagel’s still No. 2, no question about that.”

The running game remains as murky as ever, even though Cleveland Gary and Robert Delpino appear ready to play after recovering from groin injuries. Knox said he hasn’t decided who will lead off the game at the two backfield spots.

“I can give you a couple options: It could be (Marcus) Dupree with (David) Lang. It could be Dupree with (Tim) Lester. It could be Gary with Lester. I don’t think it’s really important myself, because they’re all going to play and they’re all going to be in there with the same line for that first half, basically.”

Left linebacker Kevin Greene missed practice because of a leg injury, and Knox said his status is questionable for Saturday’s game. Frank Stams, who has missed most of the camp workouts because of a leg injury, practiced at left linebacker.

With kicker Tony Zendejas nursing a minor left leg injury, Knox said punter Steven Domingos would get the kicking duties if Zendejas is still sore Saturday.