Haslett clarifies that Jackson wasn't 'gassed'

ST. LOUIS (AP) — St. Louis Rams coach Jim Haslett on Monday clarified an apparent disagreement with running back Steven Jackson after Jackson got just one touch in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 16-12 loss to Miami.

The loss was the sixth straight for St. Louis and dropped the Rams to 2-10. Afterward, Haslett, who has previously said Jackson’s preseason holdout contributed to his injuries this season, said Jackson didn’t play much in the fourth quarter because he was “gassed.”

Jackson said after the game he wasn’t tired. He gained 94 yards in his first game since Nov. 2 and his first at close to full strength since injuring his right quadriceps on Oct. 19 against Dallas.

“I wasn’t gassed,” Jackson said at the time. “I had 21 carries and felt great. It wasn’t my conditioning. I wish he would stop saying that.”

On Monday, Haslett said Jackson’s conditioning was fine. He said the running back was dragging because of soreness.

“I said this yesterday and it got blown out of proportion,” Haslett said. “He got sore about the 30th play and started dragging a little bit. His conditioning was actually fine. He did a great job with that. You could tell he hasn’t played in a month. He’s a little sore and I commend him for fighting through it and trying to get in there and play. He did a good job when he was in there.”

Jackson had 15 carries for 72 yards and one catch for 16 yards in the first half against Miami (7-5). But the St. Louis offense struggled overall in the game, managing just four field goals. St. Louis hasn’t scored a touchdown in either of the past two games.

Haslett said the plan was to get Jackson 15 to 18 touches and otherwise use backups Antonio Pittman and Kenneth Darby.

“He got a couple more (touches) then he was supposed to get,” Haslett said.

Despite the soreness, Jackson is expected to play Sunday when the Rams play at Arizona.