PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Tickets Selling Slowly for Season Finale

The Rams said 31,300 tickets have been distributed for Saturday’s game, against the Redskins, which might be the team’s last home game in Anaheim Stadium.

The team opened the season in front of 32,969, the smallest crowd for a home game since the move to Anaheim in 1980.

The Rams have an average attendance of 44,684 this season at home. Last year’s season average of 45,401 has been the team’s low mark to date in Anaheim Stadium.

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The Rams have nothing to play for Saturday.

The team cannot hurt its order in next year’s draft, and the playoffs disappeared long ago.

The Rams have assured themselves of having the fourth-worst record in the league, but instead of selecting fourth in the NFL draft, they will pick sixth. Jacksonville and Carolina already have been awarded the top two spots in the NFL draft.

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Running back Jerome Bettis has a splint on the ring finger of his left hand, which might prevent him from practicing this week, but Coach Chuck Knox said he will be listed as probable for the season-ending game with Washington.

Knox said X-rays on Bettis’ injured finger were negative.

Steve Israel, who began the year as the team’s starting cornerback then got hurt and was replaced by Darryl Henley, will miss the final game of the season because of a knee injury.

Israel, the team’s No. 2 draft pick in 1992, has battled knee tendinitis throughout the season, and as a result has failed to live up to expectations.

Linebacker Tom Homco will be listed doubtful because of a foot injury, as will linebacker Chris Martin, who is bothered by a thigh injury.

Defensive tackle Jimmie Jones stayed overnight in a Chicago hospital after suffering an abdominal injury, but tests revealed no internal damage and he returned Monday to Anaheim. Knox said he will be listed as probable for the game along with defensive tackle Sean Gilbert, who left last week’s game because of a rib injury.

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Tackle Jackie Slater said he will hold off deciding whether to play in 1995.

Slater appeared prepared last week to make such a pronouncement, but said Monday it might be better to wait, considering the uncertainty surrounding the team.