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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Rams resting back


St. Louis Rams running back Brian Leonard, left, has been impressive in the preseason. Associated Press
 (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press The Spokesman-Review

Conserving Steven Jackson for the regular season serves two purposes for the St. Louis Rams.

Last year’s NFL leader in combined rushing and receiving yards is fresh for the games that count, and his rookie backup, second-round pick Brian Leonard, is getting a lot of work. While Jackson had a ceremonial start in Saturday night’s 30-13 loss to the Chargers, lining up for the first play and then heading for the sideline, Leonard got 19 touches.

St. Louis (1-1) might be copying the Chargers, who since the 2005 preseason have held back LaDainian Tomlinson, the NFL’s MVP last year. The Rams also realize how important Jackson is to their dreams coming off a breakout season in which he racked up 2,334 yards.

“Every year, because players are bigger and faster and stronger and more expensive, you’ve got to make sure a guy like Steven Jackson, who is a game-changer, is healthy for the regular season and the playoffs,” offensive coordinator Greg Olson said. “It’s important that we have him at the end of the season when hopefully we’re making a playoff push.”

Leonard, a tailback at Rutgers for three seasons before moving to fullback as a senior, has been such a quick study that he’ll get some snaps at fullback in the final two preseason games. He had 49 yards on 17 carries and two catches for 18 yards against the Chargers, after scoring on a 10-yard run in the preseason opener at Minnesota.

“I was more settled down this game,” Leonard said. “I knew more what to expect.”

Grand jury to convene

A grand jury is scheduled to convene today in the Richmond, Va., federal court where Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick and three co-defendants were indicted on dogfighting charges last month.

There’s no indication whether the grand jury will take up further allegations against Vick, although federal prosecutors have said they plan to seek a superseding indictment in the case.

That would mean more charges against Vick, the lone defendant who has not been convicted now that all three of his co-defendants have reached plea deals.

Broncos ailing

The Denver Broncos returned from their week in the Texas heat in a world of hurt.

They lost starting defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban for the season to a torn Achilles’ tendon and workhorse running back Travis Henry sprained his left knee and might not play again until the season opener.

Henry underwent additional tests Sunday to confirm the original diagnosis of a first-degree (least serious) sprain of the medial collateral ligament.

Both were hurt in Denver’s 31-20 loss Saturday to the Dallas Cowboys, who were much more aggressive on defense than the Broncos were expecting after practicing with them all week following a Monday night game in San Francisco.

The Broncos had already lost right tackle Adam Meadows to a severely strained calf during the week of workouts in Dallas – along with rookie defensive end Tim Crowder – and left guard Ben Hamilton (concussion), left tackle Ryan Harris (back surgery) and right tackle Jacob Rogers (knee) are all ailing.

Holmes still sidelined

Frustrated and helmetless, Priest Holmes had to stand around and watch while the Kansas City Chiefs went through another practice without him.

The former Pro Bowl running back had hoped to get medical clearance and be removed from the physically unable-to-perform list and take part in his first actual practice.

But with general manager Carl Peterson out of town – reportedly attending to negotiations with holdout running back Larry Johnson, Holmes’ status remained the same.

“We just have to wait until Carl gets back in town,” said Holmes. “I don’t know when he’ll be back.”

Preseason

In a hard-hitting, mistake-filled preseason game in Baltimore that produced far more injuries than touchdowns, the New York Giants defeated the Ravens 13-12.

Two members of New York’s starting defense left in the second quarter. Safety Will Demps, who started all 16 games last season, dislocated an elbow and cornerback Sam Madison pulled a hamstring.

The Giants also lost three offensive players. Wide receiver Michael Jennings had three catches for 31 yards before rupturing his Achilles’ tendon, and Steve Smith, who caught a touchdown pass, left with a concussion. Guard Grey Ruegamer also had a concussion.

Ravens cornerback Samari Rolle and receiver Mark Clayton sprained ankles.