PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Injuries Might Make Israel Key Man

Coach Chuck Knox said Friday that linebacker Paul Butcher won’t play Sunday. Roman Phifer will replace him in the starting lineup at right linebacker.

Free safety Pat Terrell has been downgraded to questionable because of a neck injury. Strong safety Anthony Newman will move over to free safety if Terrell can’t play, with Michael Stewart replacing Newman.

And that means on pass downs, No. 2 pick Steve Israel, who held out all of training camp, will see significant time as an extra defensive back.

“We drafted him because we thought he had a lot of athletic ability,” Knox said of Israel. “Missed all of training camp, so we just have to see. He’s got to play.”