Injury a Setback for Strickland, Rams

The Rams’ rookie scrimmage against the Dallas Cowboys Saturday at Thousand Oaks turned out to be a painful way to end the first week of training camp.

Rookie inside linebacker Fred Strickland broke the index finger on his left hand during the scrimmage and will be in a cast for six weeks.

The Rams did not know how long it would be before Strickland, a second-round draft pick from Purdue, would be able to take part in contact drills.

If he is sidelined until the cast is taken off, it will be a tough setback for Strickland and the Rams. Strickland, in camp from the opening day, had been one of the first week’s standouts and was expected to push the team’s veterans for playing time.

He led the team with 10 tackles in the scrimmage.

Two other promising young players suffered injuries that will prevent them from taking part in the first two-a-day practices today at Cal State Fullerton.

Offensive lineman Jon Shields (shoulder) is expected to return Tuesday or Wednesday, and sixth-round defensive end Jeff Knapton (knee) will return either Wednesday or Thursday.