PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Time for a New Right Tackle?

In an apparent changing of the guard, Darryl Ashmore practiced at right tackle with the first-string offense Monday in place of 19-year veteran Jackie Slater.

“If the season started today, the starter would be Ashmore,” said Jim Erkenbeck, offensive line coach. “But it could be Jackie tomorrow. There’s really only one job locked up on the offensive line right now, and that’s (center) Bern Brostek.”

The Rams have hedged on choosing a starter, mostly out of respect for Slater, who has played in 246 games since joining the team in 1976, more than any other player in team history.

“We haven’t made any real decision there because we want to work (Ashmore) in there and see how he does,” Coach Chuck Knox said. “We haven’t designated him the starter because it’s too early. A lot of things can happen between now and that first game.”

Ashmore, a third-year player from Northwestern, started seven games last year after Slater was sidelined because of a torn chest muscle and backup Robert Jenkins suffered a dislocated toe.

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Starting quarterback Chris Miller, who sat out practice last week and Saturday’s 14-6 loss to Green Bay because of a sore stomach, returned to practice.

“Chris threw the ball very well,” Knox said.

Knox also said backup quarterback T.J. Rubley, who is battling Jamie Martin for the third-string position, won’t be able to throw for another week because of tendinitis in his right elbow.

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Cornerback Steve Israel, who has sat out the last two weeks because of a sore thigh muscle, had a light workout and is expected to return to practice today. . . . Cornerback Dexter Davis and defensive end Fred Stokes also sat out because of ankle and knee injuries.