By Nick Wagoner
Senior Writer

(UPDATED 1:40 pm CT)

Guard Claude Terrell will miss the entire 2006 season because of a nagging wrist injury that has plagued him throughout training camp.

After having offseason surgery on the wrist, Terrell’s condition did not improve. Now, he has been placed on the reserve/injured list and is likely to have an experimental wrist surgery

“(With) Claude Terrell we are looking into getting that wrist surgery that was recommended by all the doctors that were involved with looking at the wrist,” Rams' Head Coach Scott Linehan said Sunday evening. “It is somewhat an experimental procedure, but hopefully it will be something that alleviates the problem.  So, if he goes ahead and does that he’d obviously be done for the year, but we’re going to look into that here in the next couple of days.”

Terrell started 10 games at guard last year. He injured the wrist late in the season, but underwent a surgery in the offseason that was meant to alleviate the pain. After showing up to minicamp and training camp over his ideal playing weight, Terrell fought to get back in shape.

Ultimately, though the pain in his wrist was too much to overcome. Some observers  believed Terrell’s injury would not get worse if he played with it as is and it would be a matter of pain tolerance. But in fairness to Terrell, the wrist is an important part of what an offensive lineman must do and it was hurt worse than was first feared.

The only thing that remains for Terrell is to decide where to go to have the cutting edge surgery done.         

“The biggest issue is Claude has to decide who is going to do the surgery,” Linehan said. “There are a number of very good surgeons who can do this.  We haven’t gotten to that point yet, but I think that’s certainly our best option at this point.  It certainly doesn’t feel like he can play with the wrist as it is now and this is a recommendation from three different specialists that this be something we try.  That’s pretty much what I think we decided that we’re going to do.  It’s just a matter of deciding who it’s going to be.  Claude’s got to decide that.  It would be an I (injured) R (reserve) situation for sure.”

With Terrell out, Richie Incognito claimed the left guard job. His injury should open the door for another lineman to make the final 53. Blaine Saipaia played left guard with the second string against the Chiefs after playing right tackle in the previous preseason contests. Todd Steussie, Saipaia, Mark Setterstrom and Ben Noll should figure into the mix and Larry Turner could also get a look at guard in addition to center.

RAMS CUT ROSTER TO 75: In addition to placing Terrell on the reserve/injured list, the Rams released eight players: WR Jeremy Carter, RB Antoine Bagwell, TE Rod Trafford, DT Jeremy Calahan, K Remy Hamilton, T Adam Haayer, CB Kevin Timothee, and LB Drew Wahlroos.

CHARTING HOLT: Terrell isn’t the only Ram expected to pay a visit to the doctor in the coming days. Receiver Torry Holt, who was held out of Saturday night’s game because of a bruised sternum, is going to have an MRI on Monday to ensure that there is nothing further than a bruise there.

Linehan sounded confident that Holt will come out of it OK, but it was necessary to take the proper precautions.

“We’re going to have Torry (Holt) have a precautionary MRI on that sternum just for peace of mind more than anything,” Linehan said. “It’s fairly sore, but there’s no reason other than to make sure there’s nothing else in there with him.”

MAC BACK AT RETURNER: Linehan said receiver Shaun McDonald will probably be the team’s punt returner to begin the 2006 season.

“I think Shaun (McDonald) will be the guy we look to in the punt returns, but I think we’re still trying to figure out who that kickoff returner will be,” Linehan said.

McDonald has taken punt return reps in the preseason, but has struggled in the opportunities he has been given in past seasons.

“He’s a fast guy, but he’s (also) quick,” Linehan said.  “I think he’s both.  He’s got the ability to turn a return into a ‘first down’  because he’s got the ability to make the first guy miss. It’s something that he wants to do, his whole approach has been that this is a way he can really help this team, and that helps me as well.  He’s had a few returns here, and he hasn’t done anything to make me think he’s not going to be very good at it.  I feel very comfortable with him there, I think we’ve still got to get those other guys a little bit of work there and we’ve got to come up with a kick returner.”

For his career, McDonald has had 38 punt return chances with 24 fair catches. In his 14 opportunities, he has 176 yards for an average of 4.6 yards. In 2005, he averaged 4.1 yards.

Marques Hagans and Brad Pyatt continue to duel for the kick return job, but neither has been able to separate from the other. That’s one area that will likely to be continued to be monitored. Kevin Curtis has handled some of those duties, but Linehan is hesitant to make him the full time returner.

“We’re still trying to find somebody to take over that role for us,” Linehan said.

INJURY REPORT: In other injury areas, the Rams came away from the third preseason game relatively clean.

Defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy suffered a sprained ankle and had an MRI on Sunday. The results of that were not available, but Linehan was confident that Kennedy would be OK. Linehan also said Kennedy probably wouldn’t play in the exhibition finale against Miami.

Receiver Kevin Curtis had a slight concussion, but is fine. Isaac Bruce has a tight hamstring and will be day to day. Linehan said Bruce will likely be limited in Monday’s practice but could be more active Wednesday.

Fullback Madison Hedgecock is moving closer to a return. He did some straight line running Saturday night, but is still a ways off as he recovers from a high ankle sprain.

Defensive end Leonard Little, who has dealt with a strained quadriceps, came out of the game fine and will continue to play as planned.

CUTDOWN COUNTDOWN: The first cut of the preseason is scheduled for Tuesday, but Linehan said he and the staff were to sit down and make decisions Sunday night and could be done with that round of cuts by Monday morning.

The Rams have to make nine cuts by Tuesday after releasing cornerback Dwight Anderson last week.