PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Knox Won’t Ignore Passing Game in Cold

Coach Chuck Knox said the cold temperatures forecast for Sunday’s game at Cincinnati “won’t be a disconcerting factor” for the Rams. Cold weather means poor passing conditions, so will rookie tailback Jerome Bettis, who gained 212 yards in 28 carries against New Orleans, get even more work against the Bengals?

“Anytime you play in bad weather you need someone who can pound the ball,” Knox said. “But we have to get our passing game together. We’re not sitting here saying we can be one-dimensional and win football games. You have to do both.”

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With Keith Loneker and Tom Newberry out with knee injuries, Jeff Pahukoa will start at left guard Sunday at Cincinnati. . . Knox said if wide receiver Ernie Jones, who fractured the tip of his middle finger when he dropped a pass in the end zone against New Orleans, can’t play Sunday, Richard Buchanan will probably be promoted from the practice squad. . . Linebacker Shane Conlan, who missed Sunday’s game with a left knee sprain, practiced in a limited role Wednesday, but Knox said his status for the Cincinnati game is still questionable. . . Rookie wide receiver Sean LaChapelle (sore right wrist) also practiced.