Rams Vs. Giants Update: Greg Salas’s Dropped Punt Leads To Giants Touchdown

The St. Louis Rams’ rookie receivers continue to struggle as Greg Salas drops a punt that leads to the New York Giants’ first touchdown of the game.

The St. Louis Rams‘ rookie targets for Sam Bradford continued to struggle in the first quarter of their Monday Night Football audition against the New York Giants—Greg Salas fumbled a punt return in Rams territory after a brilliant stop by the Rams defense, putting Eli Manning and Hakeem Nicks in perfect position for a touchdown and a 7-3 lead. After last week’s drops from Salas and tight end Lance Kendricks, the Rams have had little reason to continue to trust the players that made up the middle of their 2011 draft. (Austin Pettis, the third-round pick from that draft, is inactive for Monday’s game, passed on the depth chart by Danario Alexander.)

Eli Manning, Brandon Jacobs, and Nicks, who caught a three-yard touchdown pass to put the Giants on top, didn’t need to be told twice—they put together a quick drive for the first touchdown of the night from either side. Thanks to the Rams’ continued struggles in the red zone, they continue top lead with just over three minutes left in the first quarter.