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Despite scare, Rams' Fair could be ready for opener
ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis Rams cornerback Terry Fair, carted off the field with a neck sprain Monday night, could be ready to play in the Sept. 11 season opener against San Francisco.
Fair was at the team facility Tuesday after spending the night in a Detroit hospital as a precaution.
"They really feel like next week, after a week off, that he should be all right," coach Mike Martz said. "We're all very pleased and happy with the way that situation worked out.
"You look at it on tape and it's a pretty substantial blow to the head."
Martz said despite the injury, Fair had cemented a spot with the team. Fair, a 1998 first-round pick of the Lions, signed with St. Louis in April after missing the last two seasons with injuries.
"A week ago, I wasn't sure Terry makes this team," Martz said. "But last week in practice he made this team, in my opinion. He made a significant jump."
Fair, an extra cornerback who also can be used on punt returns, was hurt when he led with his helmet while tackling Lions running back Kevin Jones. He lay motionless on the turf for several minutes and then was strapped to a backboard and carted off late in the first quarter. As the cart approached the tunnel he lifted his right arm and put his thumb up.
Martz said team doctors described the injury as a "temporary stunning" of the spinal column.
"But he's recovered and doesn't appear to have any structural damage whatsoever," Martz said. "When somebody drops like a rock like that and there's no movement, it scares you to death."
Fair was at the team facility Tuesday after spending the night in a Detroit hospital as a precaution.
"They really feel like next week, after a week off, that he should be all right," coach Mike Martz said. "We're all very pleased and happy with the way that situation worked out.
"You look at it on tape and it's a pretty substantial blow to the head."
Martz said despite the injury, Fair had cemented a spot with the team. Fair, a 1998 first-round pick of the Lions, signed with St. Louis in April after missing the last two seasons with injuries.
"A week ago, I wasn't sure Terry makes this team," Martz said. "But last week in practice he made this team, in my opinion. He made a significant jump."
Fair, an extra cornerback who also can be used on punt returns, was hurt when he led with his helmet while tackling Lions running back Kevin Jones. He lay motionless on the turf for several minutes and then was strapped to a backboard and carted off late in the first quarter. As the cart approached the tunnel he lifted his right arm and put his thumb up.
Martz said team doctors described the injury as a "temporary stunning" of the spinal column.
"But he's recovered and doesn't appear to have any structural damage whatsoever," Martz said. "When somebody drops like a rock like that and there's no movement, it scares you to death."
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