PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Workload Becomes a Concern for Bettis

The Rams are trying to hide their quarterback injuries and problems with their passing game by handing the ball to tailback Jerome Bettis. But Bettis might be paying the price for the poundings he has taken.

He was limping as he walked to meetings Monday, after suffering a deep bruise on his lower back in the third quarter of the Rams’ 8-5 loss to Atlanta on Sunday.

Bettis carried 29 times for 117 yards, including the first eight carries of the third quarter. He carried 35 times for 132 yards the previous week at Kansas City.

“I’m concerned,” Bettis said. “At the pace I’m going, I can’t sustain a full season. I have to be strong enough to endure some of this because we’re on the threshold of some success. They need me until we can sort through the rough times and get to some better times.”

Bettis, the NFC’s second-leading rusher with 507 yards, was injured when he was hit by Atlanta’s Vinnie Clark early in the third quarter. He left the game for the next few plays but returned.

With an inexperienced Tommy Maddox replacing starting quarterback Chris Chandler in the second quarter, Coach Chuck Knox relied on Bettis’ running between the tackles to control the ball in the second half.

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Former Ram tailback Cleveland Gary is expected to sign a one-year, $200,000 deal today with the Dallas Cowboys. Gary, released by the Rams during their final cut in August, passed a physical in Dallas on Monday.

The Cowboys have been interested in signing Gary as a backup to Emmitt Smith since the Rams released him in late August, but Gary underwent an emergency appendectomy after he was cut.

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Injury report: The Rams got some good news from center Bern Brostek, who is expected to practice this week after spraining both ankles Sunday. Brostek should be ready to go this week, Knox said.

Fluid has built up in the left knee of cornerback Steve Israel, who has missed the last three games, although surgery doesn’t appear to be an option.

Offensive tackle Darryl Ashmore is still out with a sore knee and wide receiver Richard Buchanan, who has a pulled hamstring, isn’t expected back.