Alexander earns more playing time

~ The former Missouri star provided an offensive spark in Monday's loss

ST. LOUIS -- Danario Alexander, the St. Louis Rams' top deep threat, has undergone five operations on his left knee and it hasn't seemed to slow him down.

The 6-foot-5, 215-pound Alexander was inactive for the opener but came roaring back Monday night against the Giants. In his first catch of the season Monday night, Alexander made a leaping grab and sprinted 68 yards to the 1-yard line -- the longest completion in quarterback Sam Bradford's career.

It showed why the Rams (0-2) kept Alexander after training camp and released second-round pick Donnie Avery. He also caught a 19-yard touchdown pass and finished with three catches for 122 yards, the biggest day in his two-year career.

Alexander said Thursday that he feels fine. He has to manage his knee, but he is hoping for more playing time in Sunday's home game against Baltimore (1-1).

"Yeah, I would love to be out there for more plays," Alexander said. "I'll just keep pushing forward. I don't have any pain. I manage it and the coaches are always watching. I want to stay fresh for the game."

Alexander has earned more playing time, Rams offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said.

"Danario had a great game and he's had a good week in practice," McDaniels said. "He's earned the right to be out there more, certainly. We're excited about what he can do."

Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo acknowledged Alexander brings a different dimension to the offense.

"He's a big-play guy, a big, tall receiver," Spagnuolo said. "I think Sam likes throwing to him. He's done some productive things. We'll get him in there more and more. We all know what he's battling.

"I watch him all day. It's amazing what he does from a physical standpoint with the injury he has. He'll never tell you he has anything wrong, but he does have to manage it."

Alexander was cut just before the season opener in August 2010 while still rehabbing from a knee operation. He then was re-signed to the practice squad. He was activated after Mark Clayton's season-ending knee injury.

He was not drafted out of Missouri after injuring the knee before the Senior Bowl, and his first NFL season was interrupted by that fifth operation.

"I do have cartilage left," Alexander said. "It's not really grinding, but I do have to manage it."

The Rams limit his time in practice so he'll be available in games. Alexander is monitored during games.

"We try to only give him a certain amount of snaps during the week," Spagnuolo said. "I think you need to do right by your players, too. I don't want to wear somebody out and all of a sudden not have them be able to do anything three weeks from now.

"It's not that easy, but I'll tell you again, I go back to Danario, who I give a lot of credit to. He fights through all of this. He wants to go. He's a competitor, and we like that about him."

He spends a lot of time in the training room to stay on top of his balky knee.

"I can play as much as I want. It's just what they want," Alexander said. "If it was up to me, I'd play every play, every game. I still have to manage it, though."

Noteworthy

* Running back Steven Jackson (quad) saw limited action in practice Thursday and running back Cadillac Williams (hamstring) did not practice. Both likely will be game-day decisions, Spagnuolo said.

* Alexander said he likes Missouri in its Saturday night game against Bradford's top-ranked Oklahoma squad. Missouri beat Oklahoma last year, and Alexander said he'd like to see it again. "I'd like to keep my bragging rights on Sam," Alexander said.