PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Johnson Could Miss Rest of the Season

Tight end Damone Johnson, plagued by recurring shoulder problems since the beginning of training camp, has a slight tear in his left rotator cuff and could miss the rest of the season, Coach Chuck Knox said Wednesday.

Johnson is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery today.

Johnson, a starter for the past four years, had lost his starting job to Pat Carter and his surgery means the Rams have only Jim Price, also nursing a shoulder injury, as a backup.

Knox said the Rams would look into signing a tight end off the waiver wire.

He also said the team looked into the possibility of signing tight end Keith Jackson, who was granted free agency and left the Philadelphia Eagles to sign a $6-million deal with the Miami Dolphins this week.

“At the particular time that window was open, we did not really know whether Damone was hurt or not, whether or not we were going to have him back,” Knox said.

Defensive end Robert Young, who has an injured shoulder, remains on the injured-reserve list but practiced for the first time since the exhibition season and could be ready for Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers.

However, Knox said the move didn’t necessarily mean Young would be activated.