PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Conlan Injures Knee on First Day

Linebacker Shane Conlan, who received a $2.35-million guaranteed contract to play for the Rams, injured his left knee on his first day of practice Friday.

Conlan, who played six years with the Buffalo Bills before becoming a free agent, said he slipped, heard a pop and then felt pain in his knee.

“It just hyper-extended,” Conlan said. “It’s no biggie. It’s just starting to throb a little bit, but nothing serious.”

Clarence Shields, Ram senior physician, examined Conlan on the practice field and the knee was iced.

“The doctor said it appears to be minor,” Coach Chuck Knox said.

The Rams are counting on Conlan to upgrade their 27th-place finish in stopping the opposition’s running attack last season.

There were questions about his durability in Buffalo, but the Rams said they had no such concerns.

Conlan, who plays with a brace on his left knee, said he tore his medial collateral ligament in 1989. He said surgery was not recommended then, but he learned later that he should have had an operation.

“I saw another person and he said it (the ligament) was just hanging by a thread,” Conlan said. “It’s tightened up, but it’s still loose. If they would have fixed it originally, it would have been tight as the other one.”

Conlan said he has stretched the ligament twice, most recently in Super Bowl XXVI in 1992.

“It will be fine,” Conlan said. “I’ll probably be back tomorrow.”

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The Rams lost tackle Darryl Ashmore for four to six weeks because of a knee injury and will be without guard Shawn Harper for the same period of time because of a broken bone in his foot.

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Running back Jerome Bettis, who was asked to report to training camp weighing no more than 240 pounds, weighed 239.

Bettis joined the team in time for its afternoon practice after signing a $4.625-million contract Friday morning.

“When we had Jerome and his agent in here back in May we sent a limousine with a chauffeur out to get him,” Knox said. “Now that the deal is done we sent a pickup truck to get him to bring Jerome back to reality.

“We’re going to use him the way he’s been productive. We’re going to get the football to him. This guy will really help our offense.”

The Rams released running back Jerone Davison to make room for Bettis on their roster. They also released wide receivers Curtis Gaspard and Joe Washington and tackle Nick Subis.