By Nick Wagoner
Senior Writer

On the brink of a potential postseason berth, the Rams honored three of the players that have been most influential in keeping them alive on Wednesday.

The team announced its awards for the season, handing out the Daniel F. Reeves Memorial Award to running back Steven Jackson as most valuable player, the Carroll Rosenbloom Award to cornerback Tye Hill as rookie of the year and the Carl Ekern Spirit of the Game award to safety Corey Chavous as the player who best exemplifies sportsmanship, work ethic and commitment to his teammates.

Taking home the top award as the team’s most valuable player is Jackson. It’s no surprise that Jackson earned the award in a season where he has become the focal point of the offense.

“I think I am developing not only as a player, but as a man,” Jackson said. “I am coming into my own, a leader, a guy that is not only working hard on making himself better but the people around him. I think it’s a team sport so whatever I accomplish, my team accomplishes.”

Jackson took full advantage of that opportunity and has put the team on his back in the past few weeks as the Rams have charged back into the playoff picture. Jackson is fifth in the league in rushing yards (1,386), second in yards from scrimmage (2,168) and fifth in receptions (88).

In addition to those numbers, Jackson has chipped in 12 touchdowns to lead the team and earned his first Pro Bowl berth for his performance. The award is Jackson’s first and he is the ninth running back to win it.

“It means a lot because your teammates pick you, but it’s kind of funny because without those guys, I couldn’t have put together this kind of year,” Jackson said. “It’s meaningful.”

The rookie of the year award went to Hill. After opening the season as the team’s primary nickel back, Hill took over the starting job when Travis Fisher was lost for the season because of an arm injury.

Hill has progressed well throughout the season and has showed signs of becoming the shutdown corner the Rams envisioned when they used the 15th pick on him in last year’s draft.

“(I’ve grown) a lot,” Hill said. “Just being out there and learning from Corey and Fakhir, we take that in and get better every day. I’m definitely more comfortable. I think I am well prepared for games now. Before, I didn’t know how much I was going to play but now that I am a starter I know how to prepare myself to be the starter and go out there and give it my all every play.”

For the season, Hill has 39 tackles, one forced fumble and three interceptions. His trio of interceptions is tied for the team lead and for first in the NFL among rookies. Hill is the fifth cornerback to win the award and the first since Fisher took it home in 2002.

Chavous earned the Ekern Award in his first season as a Ram after coming to the team from Minnesota in the offseason. Chavous has made an impact on the field for the Rams with 111 tackles, a sack, an interception, seven passes defended, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.

Off the field and in the locker room, Chavous has had just as much of an impact. He was chosen by his teammates as a captain before ever playing for the team and has helped keep the defense together through some struggles, even working as the nickel back when injuries hit the secondary.

“He’s a heck of a football player and that was his reason for being here as far as the talent level,” coach Scott Linehan said.  “What he brings is a team leader, a guy that shows the young players by example, how you prepare and get yourself ready to play. That’s what you are looking for. Corey is all about business and doing things the right way on a daily basis.”

JACKSON HONORED: The team’s most valuable player award wasn’t the only honored bestowed on Jackson this week. He was also named the NFC’s Offensive Player of the Week for his effort against Washington last week.

In that game, Jackson posted 150 rushing yards on 33 carries to go with 102 yards on six catches. He also scored a pair of touchdowns, including a game-winning 21-yard scamper in overtime.

That performance made Jackson the first Ram in franchise history to go over 100 yards rushing and receiving in a game. Going over 150 yards rushing and 100 yards receiving made Jackson only the fifth player since 1970 to accomplish that feat with Priest Holmes the most recent to do it.

TERRELL RETURNS: The Rams expected guard Claude Terrell to return to St. Louis sometime last week, but Terrell did not show up. Now, Linehan and the Rams are expected Terrell to arrive sometime this week.

“From what I’m told he’s going to be here by (today) or Thursday and hopefully there will be something done by the end of the week,” Linehan said.

Terrell was supposed to have wrist surgery soon after he was excused from St. Louis to go to Texas. He arrived back in St. Louis on Wednesday and informed the coaching staff that he feels fine and doesn’t believe he needs surgery.

INJURY REPORT: The injury report looks similar to last week’s, but the Rams are taking some more precautionary steps to preserve players as the season comes to an end.

Receiver Torry Holt, who has been dealing with knee and leg issues, was held back in Wednesday’s practice to rest. Holt will work more Thursday and Linehan said he is fine. Safety Jerome Carter’s ankle felt better and he went through most of practice.

DE Victory Adeyanju (forearm), DT La'Roi Glover (ribs), DE Leonard Little (neck), and LB Will Witherspoon (knee) are all probable and did practice.

Fullback Paul Smith is still battling a neck injury and is doubtful this week.