PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Coaches See Improvment in Gandy

Rookie Wayne Gandy didn’t play a down at offensive tackle a week ago, but offensive line coach Jim Erkenbeck maintains Gandy is making progress. “The reason I didn’t play him last week was because we were in the game and I did not want to disturb the meld of the group,” Erkenbeck said. “I had it planned for him to go in the middle of the third quarter, but we were still in the game. Then near the end I didn’t want to put him in to embarrass him.”

Gandy entered the game early, but failed to notify the official that he was reporting as an eligible receiver. The Rams were penalized, wiping out a touchdown. The team recovered, however, to score two plays later.

Darryl Ashmore, who has been alternating with Jackie Slater at right tackle, will miss the game with the Chiefs because of a knee injury, thereby requiring Gandy to play.

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Quarterback Chris Miller still finds it difficult to grip the football after injuring his shoulder last Sunday against San Francisco. Miller, however, said he is working to return as the starting quarterback Oct. 2 against Atlanta.

“I got to be ready to play next week,” Miller said.

Miller injured his ribs against Arizona and said they remain sore. He hurt his shoulder against the 49ers and said the injury affected the nerves running down his arm to his fingertips.

Chris Chandler will start in place of Miller.

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Linebacker Shane Conlan missed practice again because of a bruised thigh, and it appears Darryl Henley will once again replace Steve Israel (knee) as the starting cornerback. “Every time he (Israel) goes and does something, he starts limping,” Coach Chuck Knox said.

Defensive tackle David Rocker, who was poked in the eye Wednesday, has been listed as questionable for the game. If he plays, he will have to wear a shield on his facemask.