Despite losing wide receiver Mark Clayton for the season with a knee injury, the St. Louis Rams aren't currently pursuing a trade for San Diego Chargers holdout Vincent Jackson, a league source told NFL.com's Steve Wyche on Tuesday.
Jackson, who still hasn't signed his tender, has been linked to possible trades to the Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings and New England Patriots.
The Rams, for one, plan to move in a different direction.
Clayton, who is scheduled for season-ending surgery on his right knee to repair a torn patellar tendon, was hurt early in Sunday's 44-6 loss to the Detroit Lions. He is the third Rams wide receiver to suffer a season-ending injury in 2010. Donnie Avery and Dominique Curry both suffered torn anterior cruciate ligaments.
With Clayton out, St. Louis' receiving corps was reduced to four players on the active roster -- Danny Amendola, Laurent Robinson, Brandon Gibson and rookie Mardy Gilyard -- with a combined 183 receptions and six touchdowns in 64 career NFL games.
Later Tuesday, the Rams promoted wide receiver Danario Alexander from the practice squad. Alexander was a star at the University of Missouri last season, but he wasn't drafted after undergoing a fourth operation on his left knee in February. When the Rams signed him in August, Alexander said he was still rehabilitating the knee.
Jackson is threatening to sit out the entire 2010 season with the Chargers. There is a possibility that he will sign his contract tender and report to the team by Week 10, because language in the current collective bargaining agreement could place him in the same situation next year.
Week 10 has meaning because being on a roster for at least six weeks virtually assures Jackson of an accrued season -- and unrestricted free agency or a franchise-type tag. That season gives him six in the NFL, and in any new CBA, players would need no more than that to earn unrestricted free agency.
Jackson's current tender is around $600,000. He is seeking a long-term deal from the Chargers and an annual salary in the $8 million range.
In order for Jackson to be on the roster for six weeks, however, he must report before Week 8 (Oct. 31). That is because Jackson faces a three-game stint on the roster-exempt list whenever he does report, during which time he will not earn time toward an accrued season. He would be eligible to play and earn credit toward an accrued season beginning Week 12 at Indianapolis.
The Rams (2-3) host the San Diego Chargers (2-3) this weekend.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
