ST. LOUIS (AP) -Rams running back Steven Jackson spoke to the fans again Thursday but this time there was no discussion of ticket sales or the Edward Jones Dome atmosphere.
Instead, Jackson wanted to reassure Rams fans that his sore groin is fine and he will be at full speed Sunday when St. Louis meets Buffalo.
“My groin is fine. … Sunday it won’t be a problem,” Jackson said. “I practiced today. I practiced yesterday. Just being able to practice is quite different than last year when I was unable to do anything.”
Jackson, of course, is referring to Sept. 23, 2007, when he injured his groin in a loss to Tampa Bay. That injury cost him the next four games and nearly prevented him from reaching 1,000 yards rushing for the third consecutive season.
Soon after Jackson missed parts of Wednesday’s practice because of the groin soreness that began to plague him Sunday night after the loss to Seattle, there were questions about Jackson’s ability to play through the pain.
That’s why Jackson felt compelled to let everyone know he’s healthy and ready to carry a full load against the Bills.
`I’m going to go out there and play hard and it’s not going to be an excuse if we win or lose or however I perform,” Jackson said.
Officially, Jackson is listed as limited participation on the injury report, but he participated in more portions of practice Thursday than Wednesday. The only difference for Jackson is being in a huddle with Trent Green handling quarterback duties instead of Marc Bulger.
Bulger has been Jackson’s quarterback in each of his four seasons in the league and though injuries have separated the two at times, Bulger and Jackson have a good relationship.
“Playing with Marc for a number of years now, it’s going to be a little difficult, it’s going to be different,” Jackson said. “I have got to get used to the snap count, the play calling.”
While Jackson was making sure everyone knew his groin injury isn’t serious and that he’ll be ready for Sunday’s game, defensive end Leonard Little was quietly making his return.
Little injured his hamstring in the season opener against Philadelphia and has been inactive the past two games. But Little completed a full practice for the first time since the preseason and coach Scott Linehan believes there’s a good chance his top defensive end will be back against Buffalo.
“I’m really positive with his progress,” Linehan said. “I wasn’t sure last week. This week we just want to be a little conservative about it, but after two good days, it’s been nice and warm out here and that helps. He seems to be really doing well.”
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