By Nick Wagoner
Senior Writer

With a glut of running backs and little depth at defensive tackle, the Rams made a deal with Cincinnati on Thursday to bolster their defensive line depth.

In the deal, the team traded running back Brian Leonard to the Bengals in exchange for defensive tackle Orien Harris.

“We feel Orien is a good addition to our roster,” coach Steve Spagnuolo said.  “This move allows us to add more depth to our defensive line rotation.  We appreciate Brian’s contributions to the Rams these past two years and we wish him the best in Cincinnati.”

Leonard was a second-round pick in 2007 but never quite played up the status in an injury-plagued pair of seasons with the team.

As a rookie, Leonard played in 16 games with seven starts, compiling 303 yards on 86 carries and 30 catches for 183 yards.

A shoulder injury limited Leonard to just two appearances last season as he finished with a pair of carries for 7 yards before he was placed on injured reserve on Oct. 13.

The 6’3, 300-pound Harris is a former fourth-round pick of Pittsburgh’s in 2006 after a distinguished career at Miami.

Since, Harris has spent time on the Steelers practice squad, a two-game stint in Cleveland, a practice squad stint in Buffalo and a two-game stay with New Orleans before he went to the Bengals a week before the 2008 regular season.

In 14 games with Cincinnati, Harris made one start with 24 tackles. As he comes to St. Louis, he figures into a rotation at defensive tackle that prior to his addition featured only Adam Carriker, Clifton Ryan and rookie Darell Scott on the inside.

With Leonard’s departure, the Rams still have a full stable at running back including starter Steven Jackson, Kenneth Darby, Antonio Pittman, Samkon Gado and rookie Chris Ogbonnaya.