ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis Rams outside linebacker Na'il Diggs is out for the rest of the season because of a torn pectoral muscle.
Coach Steve Spagnuolo said Monday that Diggs would have surgery, probably this week, and that the anticipated recovery time is five months. The 32-year-old Diggs had five tackles in Sunday's 19-6 victory at Arizona, one for a loss.
"He's just been a real strong veteran presence in there," Spagnuolo said. "Not real vocal, but I think the guys have a lot of respect for him because of where he's been, what he's done, what he's about, how he works."
David Vobora or Larry Grant could replace Diggs at strong-side linebacker. Vobora got his first start of the season against the Cardinals at weak-side linebacker, and Grant started the first seven games on the weak side.
Another linebacker, Chris Chamberlain, played most of Sunday's 19-6 win over Arizona with an injured right wrist. Spagnuolo said Chamberlain's wrist was not broken but probably would have a cast.
Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press
