PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Young Out for Year After Knee Surgery

Defensive end Robert Young, who had seven sacks in the first five games of the season, is out for the season after undergoing knee surgery.

“It’s a big blow to us,” Ram Coach Chuck Knox said. “He was having an outstanding year until this unfortunate injury. But he’ll be able to bounce back.”

Young began the season as the lowest-paid starter on the defensive unit, making $150,000, and becomes a restricted free agent at the end of the season.

“It’s disappointing, but the kid is a good football player,” said Steve Feldman, Young’s agent. “As long as he rehabs well, which I’m sure he will, I think he’ll be extremely attractive to the Rams and other teams.”

Young initially injured his knee against New Orleans on Oct. 3, sat out the next three games and then returned Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. Although he was wearing a knee brace, he said someone fell on his leg and his knee gave out.

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Offensive line coach Jim Erkenbeck said third-year player Jeff Pahukoa will make his first NFL start at left guard Sunday against the Washington Redskins. Pahukoa, who beat out rookie Keith Loneker for the start, replaces Tom Newberry, who will be sidelined for two weeksbecause of a sprained right knee.

“Jeff has more experience than Keith,” Erkenbeck said. “And we needed experience there since he’s stacked up against their best defensive lineman (Tim Johnson).”

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Said Knox when asked for his reaction to quarterback Jim Everett’s published remarks criticizing the Rams’ offensive coaching staff after Sunday’s 13-0 loss: “I have no comment on that.”