PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Loneker Will Go On Injured Reserve

Starting left guard Keith Loneker is expected to go on the injured-reserve list and undergo surgery for a fallen left arch, Coach Chuck Knox said.

Loneker, a second-year player, injured his arch in the Rams’ 31-13 loss at Atlanta on Sunday. Tom Newberry, the starting left guard last season and the backup center to Bern Brostek this year, is expected to replace Loneker.

Loneker’s injury also will mean more playing time for Chuck Belin. The Rams projected big things from Belin during the exhibition season but he has been inactive for the first two regular-season games.

Knox also said the team might explore signing a free agent offensive lineman to add depth.

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Ram quarterback Chris Miller, asked if he would have wanted to stay in Atlanta rather than sign with the Rams in the off-season: “I would have liked to play for (Atlanta Coach) June Jones. I like the city here. . . . but things change--I’m out West for at least a year, until we get shipped out somewhere else.”

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Tank Younger, Tex Schramm, Tom Fears and Elroy Hirsch are among 14 former Ram players who will serve as honorary captains at the coin toss of Sunday’s game against San Francisco at Anaheim Stadium. The Rams will wear replica uniforms from their 1951 NFL championship season in Sunday’s “throwback game” to honor the 75th anniversary of the NFL.

The former Ram players also will be honored in a halftime ceremony.