Defensive end Robert Quinn said he was shocked that the St. Louis Rams chose not to play him in last Sunday's season-opening loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Quinn, the No. 14 overall pick out of North Carolina, was one of seven players designated inactive prior to the game.
"It definitely was a shocker," Quinn told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Tuesday. "I expected to play. Of course, everybody wants to play. But I was 'down' (inactive), so all I could do is support my teammates."
Coach Steve Spagnuolo said he wanted to go with four defensive ends and four defensive tackles.
"I think the four ends that are in front of him are pretty good," Spagnuolo said. "What we've got to remember now, and I know we all do, Robert has had basically five weeks of football in 2½ years or however you add that up. He didn't play at all last year and didn't have the OTAs (organized team activities, restricted due to the lockout). So it's not an indictment on him at all. It's probably a compliment to the other guys."
Quinn is expected to play Monday night when the Rams visit the New York Giants.
