PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Bettis Unworried About Fumbling

The Kansas City Chiefs have forced a league-leading eight fumbles in three games, but Ram running back Jerome Bettis said there is no cause for concern.

“If you’re going to concentrate on something like that, you’re going to give it up,” said Bettis, who fumbled on his first carry of the season. “You can’t go in fearing such a thing or you will cough it up. If you’re a sound runner, you shouldn’t have a problem no matter where you go. It’s when you’re not sound fundamentally that a team can take advantage of you.”

Bettis carried the ball 294 times last season and fumbled four times.

Bettis has 66 carries this season, but in two defeats he has received the ball only once during the fourth quarter. In the team’s only victory, he carried the ball nine times in the final quarter.

“I haven’t really had the chance to get that constant feeding because we’ve fallen behind,” Bettis said. “We need to stay close so we can stick to our game plan. I’m looking for 28 to 30 carries a game, whereas I’ve been getting about 20 a game. Then I’ll hit my stride.”

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Linebacker Shane Conlan is expected to start against the Chiefs after working without complications Friday. Cornerback Steve Israel, however, will probably sit out the game because of a sore knee.

Coach Chuck Knox said rookie James Bostic will be inactive for a fourth consecutive week along with wide receiver Richard Buchanan, tackle Darryl Ashmore and defensive tackle David Rocker. Rookie tackle Wayne Gandy poked Rocker in the eye earlier this week in practice, and team physicians advised against Rocker suiting up.