PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Broken Helmet Led to Giant Touchdown

Coach Chuck Knox said the Rams had only 10 defensive players on the field during Giant running back Rodney Hampton’s 27-yard touchdown run Sunday because a player was getting his helmet fixed on the sideline.

“We sent in our short-yardage defense and a player was getting his headgear fixed,” Knox said. “We like to have 11 out there all the time.”

Cornerback Todd Lyght vented frustration at coaches on the sideline after chasing Hampton on the play. Lyght said Monday that he was “mad about the miscommunication between the players and the coaches.”

“And I was mad at myself too, because I didn’t call timeout,” he said. “We had called timeout the play before because we didn’t have enough guys on the field.

“I was wondering if we should waste another timeout, which I should have. But I was thinking, it was third and short and maybe we can let them get a first down and stop them the next series.”

Knox did not specify who the player was.

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Defensive end Sean Gilbert (sore shoulders) is listed as questionable for this week’s game against New Orleans. Knox said team doctors plan to treat the inflammation in Gilbert’s shoulders with medication and rest.

Cornerback Wymon Henderson (groin strain) is expected to miss two to three weeks, Knox said. Steve Israel, still bothered by tendinitis in his knee, or Dexter Davis will replace Henderson in the Rams’ nickel defense.

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Starting quarterback Chris Miller has been pressed by backup Chris Chandler, who’s coming off a sprained ankle two weeks ago.

Knox was asked if Miller’s strong play against the Giants (13 for 26 for 197 yards with two touchdowns and one interception) erased any doubts about his ability to maintain the starting job or run the offense.

“I never had any doubts that he could play,” Knox said. “That’s why we brought him here. The question has been: ‘Will he get hurt?’ He got the rib cartilage, then the AC (shoulder) and then the stinger down in his finger. But you get him healthy, like anybody else, he can perform at his best.”

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Game balls were awarded to linebackers Shane Conlan, Joe Kelly and Roman Phifer and quarterback Chris Miller, tailback Jerome Bettis, center Tom Newberry and free safety Anthony Newman. Rookie Keith Lyle was the special teams player of the week.