PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Kinchen Might Miss Season

Wide receiver Todd Kinchen, who has been sidelined because of an ailing knee, said he will ask for further surgery and might have to go on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.

“It should have been healed a long time ago,” Kinchen said. “They (doctors) don’t know what’s going on, so if it’s not healed in another couple of weeks I want to get another scope (arthroscopic surgery). I don’t think they’d have a big problem with that because they want to know what’s wrong with it, too.

“If it’s not better before the Houston game, then I think that’s enough time, and I might have to be put on IR. It’s just not logical for the team to carry someone the whole year if they’re not going to get well.”

The Rams were counting on Kinchen to be their No. 3 receiver and starting punt returner, but he injured his knee in an off-season basketball game. He underwent surgery, and was expected to return Aug. 1.

Kinchen began practicing, but he remained in constant pain. He stopped practicing several weeks ago, and he’s still unable to make cuts or stop suddenly without experiencing pain.

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Linebacker Shane Conlan, who missed last week’s game because of a groin injury, practiced and is listed as probable for Sunday’s game against the Giants.

Running backs Cleveland Gary and Jerome Bettis did not practice, but are listed as probable. Gary is trying to overcome a thigh bruise; Bettis is having difficulty breathing because of a sore sternum.

“It’s hard to take deep breaths,” Bettis said. “I have asthma so that takes even more away from the whole situation.”