"The catcalls were predictable, but humorous nonetheless, when Donnie Avery returned to the practice field following an absence of about a week and a half.

"A couple of guys were like, 'Oh, snap! No. 17 is out from the dead,' " Avery said.

Hey, teammates will be teammates. But Avery, who wears jersey No. 17, turned the jeers into cheers later in Wednesday's practice at Rams Park. After diving to the turf to corral a low throw, several teammates shouted encouragement.

I see you D.A.! ... All right, D.A.!

"That's kinda nice to know that they're rooting for me, and they're on the same page as I am," Avery said.

Never mind the same page. Avery would just like to get on the same field with his teammates on game day. It could happen Saturday against Tennessee in the Rams' second preseason game of 2011.

It has been nearly a full calendar year since Avery played in a game, suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee last Aug. 26 at New England. He was done for the year. The long road back hit a bump when Avery was held out of practice by the Rams' training staff, starting about the time of the Lindenwood University scrimmage Aug. 7."