PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Griffith, Kinchen to Return Kicks

Running back Howard Griffith and wide receiver Todd Kinchen will return kickoffs for the Rams on Thursday night at Atlanta, replacing rookie running back Russell White and second-year cornerback Steve Israel.

Griffith, signed by the Rams Sept. 2 after San Diego cut him, replaced Israel on two kickoffs previously this season but has no returns. Kinchen is the team’s punt returner.

White has averaged 15.3 yards in eight kickoff returns and Israel 18.4 yards in five returns this season. White has the team’s longest return of the season, 35 yards.

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The Rams have already done their homework, figuring Billy Joe Tolliver will start at quarterback for Atlanta in place of Bobby Hebert, who is suffering from tendinitis in his elbow.

“From everything I’ve heard, it’s probably going to be Tolliver,” Ram Coach Chuck Knox said. “But I it wouldn’t surprise me (if Hebert started), because Hebert has come back before.”

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The Rams listed defensive end Robert Young (knee), tight end Pat Carter (foot), running back David Lang (knee) and rookie guard Keith Loneker as inactive for Thursday’s game. . . . The Rams must make a roster move today to make room for cornerback Courtney Griffin, who will be promoted from the practice squad and is expected to make his first NFL start.