PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Knox Is Going Without a Fullback

Taking their new, one-back, finesse offensive philosophy about as far as it can go, the Rams released their last remaining true fullback, 10th-round pick Tim Lester.

The Rams will play their season opener against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday with four running backs, all of whom are most comfortable as pass catchers. And among them, only 226-pound Cleveland Gary weighs more than 205 pounds.

“It concerns me, although with the offense we’re using, that’s one of the reasons we’re using it,” Coach Chuck Knox said of his backfield. “We’ve got all-purpose type of backs there, and really, when you look around, that’s what a lot of the teams are using.

“Now if you have a big fullback that’s got agility and speed and can catch the ball, that’s a totally different story.”

Lester, who may return, was released because the Rams have to open spots for defensive backs Michael Stewart and Steve Israel, who reported late and will count against the 47-man limit until Saturday.

The Rams have one more spot to vacate and Knox suggested that either of the team’s two injured defensive ends, Bill Hawkins or Robert Young, could be put on the injured-reserve list.

Both missed practice Thursday and Knox said he didn’t expect either to be ready for Sunday’s game, leaving the Rams with only two active defensive ends, Mike Piel and Gerald Robinson.

As expected, rookie offensive linemen Darryl Ashmore and Shawn Harper, both with knee injuries, were put on injured reserve list to make room for the Rams’ two recent waiver-wire acquisitions, running back Troy Stradford and linebacker Scott Stephen.