Rams Sign RB Davis

By The Associated Press

Former Pro Bowl running back Stephen Davis agreed to a contract Friday with the Rams, who plan to use him as a backup to Steven Jackson.

Davis, who played last season with Carolina, worked out for the Rams two weeks ago, days after spending time with the Philadelphia Eagles. Washington had also reportedly shown interest in Davis, who was drafted in 1996 by the Redskins out of Auburn. He signed a one-year contract with the Rams for the league-minimum for veterans of $810,000.

"He's obviously a proven back in this league as a starter," Rams coach Scott Linehan said. "And, as a No. 2, he complements what we're going to try and get done in our running game. Steven Jackson is our starter and (Davis) gives us depth and has gotten to that part of his career where he can complement Steven."

Davis played in 13 games with Carolina in 2005, gaining 549 yards and scoring 12 touchdowns on 180 carries. Knee surgery sidelined him all but two games in 2004 and the first part of 2005.

His best season was in 2003, his first of three with Carolina, when he rushed for 1,444 yards. It marked the fourth and most recent season that he rushed for more than 1,000 yards. He had 1,300-plus-yard seasons with Washington from 1999 through 2001.

He worked out with the strength and conditioning coaches Friday in what Linehan termed a "mock game" at the Rams' practice facility. Linehan said Davis should play in St. Louis' season-opener Sept. 10 at home against Denver.

Linehan said Davis was on the Rams' radar after Carolina cut him in the spring. However, the two sides did not show interest in each other until mid-August as Davis weighed his options and whether he wanted to return for his 11th NFL season.

The Rams signed running backs Tony Fisher and Moe Williams to help offset the loss of Marshall Faulk, who is out for the season with what is probably a career-ending knee injury. St. Louis is likely to have three backs on the 53-man roster it needs to set by Saturday, but Linehan would not say how many running backs the team would carry to start the season.


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