Meanwhile, Fisher confirmed that Jones, a highly-decorated lineman at Alabama and a fourth-round draft pick in 2012, underwent back surgery. Jones experienced lower back issues earlier in training camp, and the Rams tried to see if the back would settle down. But he underwent surgery about a week ago, and now the Rams must decide what to do with him roster-wise. They have a couple of weeks to decide.

They can place him on the injured reserve list ending his season. They can place him on the injured reserve/designated for return list, in which case he would be eligible to return sometime during the second half of the season if healthy. Or they could simply carry him on the 53-man roster.

Jones’ rookie season in 2012 amounted to the NFL version of a redshirt year because of foot surgery that occurred after Alabama’s national championship victory over Notre Dame. He reported to training camp this year with improved upper body strength and less body fat, with the potential to push for playing time at both center and guard.

The back surgery puts all that on hold. Mizzou product Tim Barnes is next in line at center behind starter Scott Wells, who saw his first action of the preseason Saturday.