PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAMS : No. 2 Receiver Spot Still to Be Filled

The Rams’ ongoing audition to find competent receivers to play opposite starter Flipper Anderson has been interrupted by injuries.

Rookie Chris Brantley, who has caught the attention of the coaching staff, apparently succumbed to the wear and tear of two-a-day practices and was forced out with a hamstring injury.

On the final play of practice Monday, wide receiver Sean LaChapelle was tackled by Dexter Davis in a non-tackling drill and injured his leg.

The Rams began camp with 11 candidates for the three or four spots opposite Anderson. The team, however, has released Jeff Jones and was forced to place Todd Kinchen on its physically-unable-to-perform list because of a knee injury.

*

Defensive end Robert Young had seven sacks in the first four games last season, but a short time later went down with a knee injury and was lost for the year.

Young’s back, and according to Coach Chuck Knox, he’s back to prime-time form.

“He has looked great and has dominated in the one-on-one pass rushes,” Knox said. “I think he will be even more effective this year with Jimmie Jones inside along with Sean Gilbert. Now you can’t double-up on anybody.”

*

The defense dominated the afternoon workout, capped by former Raider linebacker Joe Kelly’s interception of a Chris Chandler pass. . . . Marquez Pope, acquired from the Chargers, has drawn attention at strong safety. . . . Running back Johnny Bailey, who will be the team’s top punt returner, is making a strong run as a third-down back.