Duckworth Misses Rams’ Trip; His Agent Says He’s in San Diego

The mysterious disappearance of Ram wide receiver Bobby Duckworth was partly explained Sunday night when his agent said he contacted Duckworth in San Diego.

Jim Steiner said by phone from St. Louis: “This problem is not at all related to drugs. It’s an off-the-field problem that needs to be taken care of. He’s OK, and as soon as it’s taken care of he’ll be back on the field--possibly as soon as next week.”

The Rams flew home from New Orleans after Sunday’s 29-3 loss to the Saints without knowing what had happened to Duckworth, who didn’t show up for the team’s charter flight to Louisiana Saturday. Steiner contacted them late Sunday night.

Meanwhile, center Doug Smith was admitted to Southern Baptist Hospital with a concussion and remained in New Orleans overnight for observation. He was expected to fly home today.

Duckworth was last seen when the players left Rams Park Friday afternoon.

Day manager Sam Jamshidi of the Quality Inn Motel, where a few of the Rams’ single players live in Anaheim, apparently was the last person there to speak to him.

Jamshidi said Sunday: “He called Friday afternoon and said he wouldn’t be back until the Rams got back from New Orleans.”

Assistant manager Greg Morris said: “I checked him out Friday. Sometimes the players will do that when they’re going to be out of town for three days, then they’ll check back in.”

On the request of Ram executive Jack Faulkner, Jamshidi checked Duckworth’s room, but the player wasn’t there.

Duckworth mentioned to a teammate that he might be going to San Diego overnight. The Rams acquired him from the Chargers in a trade earlier this season, and he still has a condo in San Diego.

Dr. Toby Freedman, a Ram team physician, was asked if Duckworth had a drug problem.

“We tested him when he first came (in the trade) and he was OK,” Freedman said.