PRO FOOTBALL : DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Lyght on Injured Reserve; Lilly Signs

The Rams placed cornerback Todd Lyght, who suffered a separated shoulder Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, on injured reserve Tuesday and signed free agent cornerback Sammy Lilly. Lyght will be out at least four weeks.

Lilly, who played with the Rams last season, was most recently with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is known more for his aggressive special-teams play than his coverage skills and had 13 tackles--seven on special teams--three passes defensed and forced a fumble with the Rams in 1991.

The Rams also waived running back Troy Stradford, claimed off waivers Sept. 2.

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Chuck Knox says it’s “as old as football,” but the Rams’ defensive front is making an art of the tipped pass. Rookie defensive tackle Marc Boutte already has batted down six passes this season.

The Rams never sacked--and seldom pressured--Dan Marino Sunday, but the man with the quickest release in the NFL is used to working in a clean uniform. They did knock down five of his passes at the line of scrimmage, however.

Dolphin Coach Don Shula and Marino implied that the Rams might be giving up a pass rush to jump up and down in the passing lanes, but Knox maintains it’s simply a matter of fundamental defensive line play.

“We work on it and that’s why we’ve batted down as many balls as we have,” he said. “We wanted to get some hurries on (Marino), but if you can’t get there, if you haven’t been able to whup the guy or go around, then what’s the next best thing? You get your hands up.

“Now that’s as old as football.”

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Cleveland Gary, who had a 40-yard run and finished with 76 yards in 17 carries against Miami, was the only Ram back who carried the ball. Knox said that was not an indication of Robert Delpino’s future role, however.

“That wasn’t by plan,” Knox said. “We probably should have spelled Robert Delpino in there some, but that was just the way it unfolded. That doesn’t mean that we have a back who we’re going to go to carry the load.”

Gary has rushed 45 times for 171 yards and is averaging 3.8 yards per carry. Delpino has 80 yards in 17 carries and a 4.7 average. But Knox says Delpino will be getting more work.

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And then there were three? Knox says running back Anthony Thompson, acquired off waivers last week, will get more practice time this week in preparation for some playing time against the Jets on Sunday at Anaheim Stadium.