Rams lose pair of key players before loss to Seahawks
The season is over for Rams defensive end Robert Quinn and running back Benny Cunningham.
About five hours before the Rams’ 24-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday at CenturyLink Field, the Rams announced that the two veterans had been placed on injured reserve.
Quinn was in concussion protocol the last few weeks but had been practicing. Cunningham sat out the previous game, against the Atlanta Falcons, because of a neck issue.
The Rams promoted offensive lineman David Arkin and defensive lineman Morgan Fox from the practice squad.
Quinn, a two-time Pro Bowl player, has struggled with several injuries and conditions after off-season back surgery. He has 10 tackles, including four sacks.
A shoulder issue sidelined Quinn a few games before midseason. The day after the Rams’ Nov. 13 win over the New York Jets, he was hospitalized after relatives called paramedics because of what they believed to be a seizure. Quinn said later he was told he had suffered from dehydration.
Cunningham rushed for 101 yards and caught 16 passes for 91 yards. He averaged 27.2 yards per kickoff return.
Tough return
It was rough night for cornerback Troy Hill.
Hill was called for holding, and then got beat by Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin for a short touchdown pass that gave the Seahawks a 17-3 lead in the third quarter.
Hill, who had been playing fairly well after early-season injuries suffered by E.J. Gaines and Trumaine Johnson, was released last month after he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.
He cleared waivers and was re-signed to the practice squad because former coach Jeff Fisher said players deserve second chances.
Hill was promoted to the roster this week after tight end Cory Harkey was placed on injured reserve because of a triceps injury.
Flag day
The Rams entered the game ranked sixth in the NFL in penalties (104) and fifth in penalty yards (909) — and the yellow flags flew again.
The Rams were penalized eight times for 76 yards. Seattle was flagged 13 times for 86 yards.
The Rams’ frustration — with the flags as well as their ninth loss in 10 games — was evident with about five minutes left, when defensive tackle Aaron Donald was called for a face-mask penalty. He also drew an unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty when he tossed the flag at the referee who threw it at him.
“I understand,” interim Coach John Fassel said. “He’s laying on the ground, the flag is thrown and hits him. I don’t think it was malicious. He tossed it back. It happens. The game was close to out of hand. I don’t have a problem with that.”
Sack dance
Seahawks defensive tackle Michael Bennett did a fair impersonation of Elvis Presley early in the fourth quarter, gyrating his hips in a circle not once, not twice, but three times after dropping Rams quarterback Jared Goff for a 10-yard loss on third down.
Bennett’s excessive celebration earned him a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty and gave the Rams a first down. On the next play, Bennett hurled his body, helmet first, at running back Todd Gurley for a two-yard loss, a bruising hit that sent Bennett off the field and to the locker room to be evaluated for concussion.
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