[chad@ffLiveWire]

After missing the entire spring practice program following back surgery, Steven Jackson is expected to be back on the field Saturday when the Rams hold their first full-squad workout of training camp.

"He's somewhat cleared to go," coach Steve Spagnuolo said Tuesday at Rams Park.

Spagnuolo hedged only because Rams doctors, in what is routine procedure for players coming off surgery, will have another look at Jackson's back before Saturday.

"But he feels great," Spagnuolo said. "Probably only because it's a back (injury), we'll tread lightly. But I think he'll do most everything."

After trying to get healthy through rest and rehab, Jackson underwent surgery to repair a herniated disc in April. Spagnuolo said he doesn't expect Jackson's preseason routine to be much different from what it was last season.

"I don't think that will change," Spagnuolo said. "We want to get him ready. He wants to go, and he wants to be ready. And we'll have him ready for the opening game (of the regular season). But if you're talking about the preseason games, we'll be smart about it."

Since taking over for Marshall Faulk in 2005 as the Rams' feature back, Jackson hasn't seen much action during the preseason. Last season, Jackson had only 11 touches in exhibition play, with 10 carries and one reception.

As for the training camp practices themselves, it's doubtful Jackson will do the live tackling drills that characterized Spagnuolo's first camp in St. Louis last summer.

In fact, Spagnuolo hinted Tuesday that there might be fewer live tackling sessions in the camp regimen this season.

[vardaski]

chad@ffLiveWire, on 28 July 2010 - 07:41 AM, said:

"But he feels great," Spagnuolo said.

It makes me worried when a coach is feeling his players. You can look at him, you can even think about him but don't touch him. That does it I'm staying away from SJax. No one getting felt up by his coach is going to keep his head on straight.

[chad@ffLiveWire]

Jackson and his 79 teammates were put through their paces for 1 hour, 45 minutes Saturday afternoon in the first full-squad practice of training camp. Jackson, who had surgery in April to repair a herniated disc in his back, was nearly a full participant. On the first snap of 11-on-11 "team" drills, he took a handoff from quarterback A.J. Feeley and burst around left end for a nice gain.

"We don't want to jump out there too quick and have him set back," coach Steve Spagnuolo said. "But I was encouraged."

Jackson was injured Nov. 22 against Arizona. He was held out of practice for the rest of the season, but he still managed to play in five of the last six games for the 1-15 Rams.

"The last five, six weeks of the season was pretty painful," Jackson acknowledged. "But being able to fight through that pain and still be somewhat productive, I think I proved a lot to myself."

Jackson finished with 1,416 rushing yards, the second-highest total of his six NFL seasons. He also caught 51 passes for 322 yards and was named to his second Pro Bowl.

Because he missed all the spring drills while rehabbing, Jackson hadn't stepped onto a football field since the season finale vs. San Francisco on Jan. 3. He weathered Saturday's practice without problems.

"I felt good," Jackson said. "I've been working really, really hard with my trainer all offseason to make sure that when today came, I'd be ready to practice and be able to pretty much participate in everything."

His back, he reported, "feels good. We're going on three months now (since the surgery), and still have another month to go (until the regular season). If I had to have the surgery, I think we did it at the right time.

"Everything is up, everything is going good."

fans show up

A crowd of 1,258 was in attendance Saturday. Several fans sported University of Oklahoma gear in homage to newly signed rookie quarterback Sam Bradford, the No. 1 overall selection in the draft. Bradford and several other players signed autographs afterward.

"That's exciting to see everybody out here; I hope they keep coming," Spagnuolo said. "The guys love it when they're out there. I hope we can do things good for them."

[chad@ffLiveWire]

Jackson has been taking hits and feeling fine afterward. The back doesn't seem to be an issue moving forward... Draft Steven Jackson with confidence.