ST. LOUIS (Dec. 4, 2005) -- St. Louis Rams outside linebacker Dexter Coakley will miss the rest of the season after dislocating his left ankle and breaking his leg in a 24-9 loss to the Redskins.
Coakley was hurt pursuing on a running play with 1:01 to go in the first quarter, and got rolled over from behind. He was down for several minutes, and among those who came over to check on his status was interim coach Joe Vitt.
Vitt said Coakley would undergo surgery as soon as Dec. 5.
"He's a heck of a player, a heck of a leader," Vitt said. "We're going to miss him. It's a shame, it really is."
The injury appeared similar to that sustained by former Rams defensive back Aeneas Williams in 2002. Williams missed the second half of that season and had to move from cornerback to safety the next season.
Coakley is in his first year with the Rams after signing a five-year, $14.5 free-agent deal in the offseason. He entered the game eighth on the team with 41 total tackles and had two sacks, and was credited with a pass breakup against Washington.
http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/STL/9077401
Coakley was hurt pursuing on a running play with 1:01 to go in the first quarter, and got rolled over from behind. He was down for several minutes, and among those who came over to check on his status was interim coach Joe Vitt.
Vitt said Coakley would undergo surgery as soon as Dec. 5.
"He's a heck of a player, a heck of a leader," Vitt said. "We're going to miss him. It's a shame, it really is."
The injury appeared similar to that sustained by former Rams defensive back Aeneas Williams in 2002. Williams missed the second half of that season and had to move from cornerback to safety the next season.
Coakley is in his first year with the Rams after signing a five-year, $14.5 free-agent deal in the offseason. He entered the game eighth on the team with 41 total tackles and had two sacks, and was credited with a pass breakup against Washington.
http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/STL/9077401
