PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Moon a Shadow of Former Self

The Rams’ offense may be struggling, but quarterback Warren Moon of the Houston Oilers, the Rams’ next opponent, has his own problems.

Moon, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, had one of the worst games in his 10-year NFL career during an 18-17 defeat Sunday at San Diego.

Moon completed 19 of 37 passes for 198 yards and a touchdown but also threw four interceptions. He was benched in the fourth quarter and Cody Carlson finished for the Oilers.

“We’re going to have to come out and refocus ourselves,” Moon said. “I’ve been saying that the last few weeks, but it hasn’t happened.”

Moon’s poor performance dropped him to 10th in the AFC quarterback rankings. He has completed 62 of 104 passes with three touchdowns and six interceptions.

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Starting tailback Cleveland Gary, who sat out Sunday’s game because of a bruised thigh, ran pass routes after practice and said he would return to practice full-time on Wednesday.

Fullback Tim Lester sat out practice because of a bruised left knee but said he would return to practice by Thursday.

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Coach Chuck Knox said the Rams must decide by next week whether to keep tight end Jim Price on the roster.

Price held out during the exhibition season, then signed after the regular-season opener against Green Bay. League rules require him to sit out three games--the last of which is Sunday’s--before he can be activated.

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Defensive end Robert Young’s six sacks tie him for the league lead with the Raiders’ Anthony Smith and New Orleans’ Renaldo Turnbull. . . . The Rams rank 14th in the league in total defense, 13th in pass defense and are tied for 18th with Dallas in rushing defense. Houston is 11th in total defense, 15th in rushing defense and 12th in pass defense.