PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Griffith, Kinchen to Return Kicks

Running back Howard Griffith and wide receiver Todd Kinchen will return kickoffs for the Rams Thursday night at Atlanta. They replace rookie running back Russell White and second-year cornerback Steve Israel.

Griffith, signed Sept. 2 by the Rams after San Diego cut him, replaced Israel on two kickoffs this season but has no returns. Kinchen is the team’s punt returner.

“It has gone well in practice,” Griffith said. “I’ve been catching the ball well. I’ve worked on it a lot after practice. Now, I have to go out and do it in the game.”

White has averaged 15.3 yards in eight kick returns and Israel 18.4 yards in five returns this season. White has the team’s longest return of the season, 35 yards.

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The Rams already have done their homework, figuring Billy Joe Tolliver will start at quarterback for Atlanta in place of Bobby Hebert, who has been plagued with elbow tendinitis.

“From everything I’ve heard, it’s probably going to be Tolliver,” Ram Coach Chuck Knox said. “But it wouldn’t surprise me (if Hebert started), because Hebert has come back before.”

Hebert took no snaps in practice Tuesday.

“I can make some of the throws,” Hebert said, “but probably not all the throws you need to make to help the team.

“I will be available to play, but under what circumstances, I don’t know.”

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The Rams listed defensive end Robert Young (knee), tight end Pat Carter (foot), running back David Lang (knee) and rookie guard Keith Loneker as inactive for Thursday’s game. . . . The Rams must make a roster move today to make room for cornerback Courtney Griffin, who will be promoted from the practice squad and is expected to make his first NFL start. . . . The status of Atlanta kicker Norm Johnson, slowed by a groin injury, has been upgraded from questionable to probable for Thursday night’s game.