PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Wright Replaces Newman as Starter

Safety Anthony Newman, who has started the last 46 games, will take a seat on the bench Sunday so the Rams can take a look at rookie Toby Wright.

“I’ve been struggling the past three or four games,” Newman said. “If I’m going to hurt the team I shouldn’t be out there. I’ve been pressing, and I haven’t been taking care of business.

“It’s a good wake-up call, and to be honest, it takes some pressure off my back. I’ve been thinking and thinking about why we’re not winning, and then there’s been all the talk about the move and this is almost like a break. It’s a demotion, but I can rest my mind.”

On Monday, Coach Chuck Knox said the team would play its best players in an attempt to win the last two games, rather than experiment and play young players such as Wright, quarterback Tommy Maddox and defensive end Brad Ottis.

The Rams will use Wright at strong safety and move Marquez Pope to free safety on early downs. They will bring in rookie safety Keith Lyle on passing downs.

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Tackle Jackie Slater, who is wrapping up season No. 19, said he is close to making a decision on his future. Slater, who has been sidelined because of an elbow injury, indicated before the season that he would like to play 20 years. “He hasn’t said this is his last year,” Knox said. “I think he probably could play another year; he’d played well when he was healthy.”

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The Rams added linebacker Brett Collins, who was with the team earlier this season, to their 53-man roster because of injuries to linebackers Tom Homco (foot) and Chris Martin (calf). The Rams put rookie tackle Ronald Edwards on injured reserve because of bone spurs in his ankle. Knox said Edwards suffered the injury in training camp.