PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Stokes Strives to Return From Knee Injury

Defensive end Fred Stokes, a key to the pass rush, has been hard at work rehabilitating his left knee. Stokes, who strained a ligament Friday, began stretching on Sunday and worked out on a stationary bicycle and in the swimming pool this week.

Stokes, expected to be out three weeks, wouldn’t commit himself to a return date.

“Doctors and trainers look at a situation and set a certain period of time,” Stokes said. “If they say a guy is going to be out three weeks and he comes back in two, then he’s ahead of schedule. But maybe that wasn’t his schedule in the first place.

“I don’t have any problems with being ready for the first game. But I try to keep out of my mind thoughts about being back out there and running again.”

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Stokes is over one hump already with the help of an old friend and former teammate. Former Washington Redskin Charles Mann called him Sunday to offer support.

“Charles has had knee problems since he was 16,” Stokes said. “Charles is a detail guy. He started talking about fibers and stuff. I didn’t know what he was talking about. But the best thing he told me was not to expect too much, too quick. If you expect too much, you’ll let yourself down. I was a little down and he gave me some confidence.”

Mann found out about the injury from his mother, according to Stokes.

“He was going somewhere with his mom and she said, ‘Did you hear? Fred Stokes hurt his knee and is out for the season,’ ” Stokes said. “He picked up his car phone right then and called.

“I got a little worried after that and called my mom to tell her I was OK. If Charles heard that I was out for the year, by the time my mom heard about it, the story would be that my leg was amputated.”

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The Rams will take 71 players to Madison. Players who will not make the trip are defensive tackle Marc Boutte (knee), defensive back Dexter Davis (ankle), defensive back Clifford Hicks (Achilles tendon), defensive back Steve Israel (quadriceps), wide receiver Sean LaChapelle (ankle), defensive end Kevin Patrick (shoulder), defensive end Robert Young (groin) and Stokes. Defensive back Darryl Henley, who was signed by the team Wednesday, also will remain in California. . . . The Rams released offensive tackle Justin Starck to make room for Henley on their 80-man roster.