Rams reinstate Hargrove

ST. LOUIS — Anthony Hargrove is getting a second chance with the St. Louis Rams, although the wayward defensive end will have to earn back his starting job.

The Rams reinstated Hargrove on Monday, and coach Scott Linehan said the third-year player would be on the practice field on Wednesday when the team begins preparation for this week’s game against the Lions. But after skipping two days of practice and meetings last week while dealing with personal issues, Hargrove will return as a backup.

“Tony’s got to re-establish himself,” Linehan said. “He took a step back. He’s got to earn some respect back from his teammates.”

Besides losing his job and being left home for Sunday’s victory over the Cardinals, Linehan said Hargrove was hit with a “pretty substantial fine.” Rookie Victor Adeyanju started at Arizona and will hold that spot this week against the Lions, based as much on impressive play as Hargrove’s tenuous standing.

Linehan said he met with Hargrove for about a half-hour on Monday. He said it was “possible” that Hargrove could play as a backup on Sunday.

“It was a good meeting, I’ll say that,” Linehan said. “We talked about the reality of the situation. There’s right ways and wrong ways of handling things, I learned that as a young boy.”

Linehan said he did not consider releasing Hargrove, whom he called a “great kid.”

“In all fairness, that would not be appropriate given the facts of the situation,” Linehan said. “You don’t have a lot of second chances in life, but we’re willing to do that.”

Neither Linehan nor Hargrove’s agent, Reggie Blackwell, would divulge any details about Hargrove’s personal problem. Blackwell said Hargrove would not contest the fine.

“It was just a bunch of different things, not one thing in particular, and they came to a head,” Blackwell said.

“Everything’s good. It was a very positive meeting.”

Blackwell said Friday that his client wanted to apologize to the team on Monday.

Linehan said the apology probably will have to wait until Wednesday because he had been busy with other business, although Blackwell said Hargrove spoke to some players on Monday.

Blackwell said Hargrove had been dealing with personal and family issues and neglected to inform the Rams. Hargrove did not participate in practices or meetings on Thursday or Friday and did not make the trip to Arizona for Sunday’s wild 16-14 victory.

Linehan said Adeyanju, a fourth-round pick, played so well against the Cardinals that he was under consideration as the team’s defensive player of the week.

“He played with great effort, great energy, played the run extremely well,” Linehan said. “He didn’t play like a rookie. No hesitation at all.”