"We're going to roll those defensive linemen. . . . He'll be on the field," the Eagles' defensive coordinator said yesterday. "I'm not sure how much he'll be on the field because he hasn't practiced a lot."

Clemons, a former Oakland Raider who signed a five-year, $12 million contract as a free agent in the off-season, played just one preseason game because of a nagging calf injury. The coaching staff says he has much catching up to do.

"You're behind because you don't get the [practice repetitions] on the field," Johnson said. "He's at least a couple weeks behind. It's going to take a little while."

The 6-foot-3, 240-pound lineman does not feel so far behind.

"Everybody has their own opinion how they feel," Clemons said. "If you feel like I'm behind - I'm trying everything I can to catch up as fast as I can. That's one of the things we have a competition about.

"I'm fine with the playbook. That's why we practice every day. I'm not having any problems right now as far as the playbook is concerned. He simplifies it during game week. . . .

"My biggest thing is not having to prove anything to anybody but myself. I know what I can do and the coaches know what I can do, and that's how we approach it."

Look for Clemons to play on passing downs against the Rams.

"We want to get him in there, especially on third-down situations," Johnson said. "On our passing game, we've got to give those ends a rest, and he's going to get in there as a pass rusher."

It is unlikely that rookie defensive end Bryan Smith will be activated for the season opener.

Brown still sore

Brown, recovering from a strained left hamstring suffered in the second preseason game, against Carolina, took part in individual drills during Wednesday's practice, but obviously has not fully recovered.

As he headed past reporters into the trainer's room, Brown was asked if he could play. "I don't know yet," he said.

Earlier in the day, offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg hinted that Brown might not be ready.

"Reggie is day-to-day right now, so DeSean [Jackson] will start at the front flanker, it looks like," Mornhinweg said.

Even if Brown can play, Jackson will start at a wide-receiver position. He will become the first Eagles rookie to start at wide receiver since Calvin Williams in 1990.

If Brown cannot play, the Eagles say, his snaps will be divided among Hank Baskett, Greg Lewis and Jason Avant.

No rookie surprise

"We certainly know a lot about him," Rams coach Scott Linehan said. "We're concerned about a lot of their players on their offense. He is multidimensional, a guy with great speed, and he showed what he can do as a returner."

No worries

"I see a guy competing and playing hard," Johnson said. "I don't even think about it. I don't let that outside stuff get me. I keep saying it, but I'm glad to see him on the field every day - him, Asante and Sheldon."

Local connection

"His leadership ability, you tend to throw that around with veterans, but he has really become a very physical blocker as well as a very effective receiver," Linehan said.

"He started with the Jets, then moved down to Tampa and played very well for Tampa the last couple years," he said. "We're happy to add to that tight-end corps."

Extra points

- Tim Panaccio
and Bob Brookover