Rams' Little Faints, Injured in fall
By Rams Nation's – Barry Waller
August 23rd, 2002
After the Chargers-Rams game finally ended Thursday, Rams players headed to
local restaurants for a midnight meal, never expecting another injury would
occur long after the contest ended.
Rams star pass rusher Leonard Little keeled over from bleeding in his bruised
thigh, incurred during the game, and gashed open his noggin, requiring stitches
to close the wound, but also resulting in a concussion that could keep Little
out of the regular season opener against the Broncos. He has already been declared
out for the final pre-season game against the Chiefs next week.
Mike Martz explained Friday why Little had apparently fainted.
"What happened was he kept bleeding into the injured area,'' Martz said.
"In essence, it was explained to me that it's like losing a pint or two
of blood. So, you get real light-headed when you stand up. When he stood up,
he went down.''
If Little is unable to play in the opener, it leaves a big hole in an area
already hit hard by injury, as nearly every Ram defensive lineman has missed
practice time and/or games this summer. Last season, it was Grant Wistrom, the
other Rams defensive end and their other pass rushing force, who missed the
opener, but hopefully, Little’s head will clear in time for games that
mean something. Falls such as the one Little had can often be fatal, or at least
cause serious brain damage, so the Rams can consider themselves lucky that Leonard
will apparently be OK.