Defensive End Leonard Little sent a chill through Rams Park yesterday when he went down with a knee injury.  When the margin for error is so thin with this team you just can't afford to have one of your top players go out for any significant amount of time.  As it turns out Little only sprained his knee and was back out on the practice field this afternoon.   It would be shocking if the Rams would play him on Thursday night but it certainly made some hearts skip a beat within Rams Park.  So it brought to my mind who are the five players the Rams can least afford to lose in the 2009 season?

#1 Steven Jackson

This one should be no surprise to anyone.  When Steven Jackson plays, the offense has a dangerous weapon.  When he doesn't, the Rams offense is not really a threat to anyone.  Jackson has to be healthy for all 16 games this season for the Rams to have a chance at success.   The depth behind him is thin at best, so much so that there is a high probability that one of the second string backs in camp has a very good chance of being cut before opening day.  Jackson missed 4 games in both 2007 and 2008.  He cannot afford to miss that many this year if the Rams are going to have any chance.

#2 Ron Bartell

I think there might be a lot of people who are surprised that I have him this high but here is my reasoning.  The Rams have one cornerback position that is already up for grabs with Tye Hill being the favorite to win the spot.  Having one weak cornerback can be overcome in the NFL.  Having two and you are dead in the water.  Bartell has not missed a game in the past three seasons and his durability has to hold up in 2009.

#3 Jason Brown

Last season if you were a defensive coordinator the plan was simple against the Rams.  Blitz up the middle and continue doing that the entire game.  They can't stop you.  That is the reason that the Rams went out in the off season and signed Jason Brown.  He is going to be the rock that will stop everyone from coming right up the gut against the Rams.  Their backup center will most likely be Mark Setterstrom so the depth will not be at this position.

#4 Leonard Little

There was a reason everyone was so concerned yesterday.  Leonard Little may be one of the oldest players on the roster but he is still a force to be reckoned with at Defensive End.  Little is still someone that other offenses have to account for and what is more important is that because they have to account for him he will free up James Hall or Chris Long to make more plays in 2009.  Little has only played in 21 games the past two seasons and the Rams need to make sure he is on the field for all 16 this year.

#5 Donnie Avery

There is some good news on this front as Avery is already back doing conditioning drills and is starting to run some scout team offense.  It certainly looks like Avery will be back for opening day in Seattle.  Although I do not consider Avery a true #1 wide receiver he certainly has the most upside of any receiver on the roster and has the capability of being a threat.  He should be a good number two receiver on most teams but due to the circumstances he will have to become Marc Bulger's go-to guy in 2009.  Not having Avery on the field will be a problem for the Rams if they don't keep him healthy.

Some may be surprised that I don't include Marc Bulger on this list.  In my opinion if Bulger goes out for a short period of time there is at least a chance that Kyle Boller can come in and make some plays and possibly win some games.  This is the NFL and injuries do happen.  The likelihood that all of these players stay healthy is not realistic but the teams that win go through the season without having a rash of injuries.  If the Rams can stay healthy that will be one of their biggest reasons for success.

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