NFL

Rams’ QB Bradford out for the season

8/25/2014

ST. LOUIS — Jeff Fisher shared the bad news with Sam Bradford on Sunday morning.

By the time the St. Louis Rams coach began his day-after news conference, he'd had several hours to digest the impact of an injury that puts the team's once-rosy outlook in serious doubt, and to give a vote of confidence to journeyman backup Shaun Hill.

After announcing Bradford's season-ending torn ACL in his left knee for the second time in nine months, Fisher said trade speculation was premature.

At the least, they'll likely wait to see who hits the market in the first round of cuts on Tuesday when rosters must be at 75 players.

"It makes no sense to jump and react right now and try to fill the hole at whatever cost," Fisher said. "We're going to take our time and evaluate this. There's going to be some quarterbacks that are released and there may or may not be some quarterbacks out there that have trade value."

Fisher said no timetable had been set for surgery.

"We lost Sam for the year," Fisher said. "The news was devastating to him."

In all, five starters were hurt in the first half against the Browns Saturday night. Fisher called it a "nightmare."

Bradford was injured in the first quarter of Saturday night's 33-14 preseason victory at Cleveland. He was hit on his left side by Browns defensive end Armonty Bryant as he threw a pass, and hopped briefly on his right leg before dropping to the ground.

Fisher said the injury was a "one in 100" rarity.

"The knee was locked and something has to give," Fisher said. "Unfortunately, the ACL gave."