The St. Louis Rams' offense had a nice no-huddle rhythm early in Monday night's game against the New York Giants. Then two Giants defenders suddenly and suspiciously dropped to the ground with injuries.
As a result, Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said Tuesday the team will file a complaint with the NFL office.
"That'll go on the list of things we're going to send in," Spagnuolo said. "I think the league is looking into it. I'll let it run its course from that point of view."
Giants coach Tom Coughlin also met with reporters Tuesday and had to explain his thoughts on the alleged fake injuries to safety Deon Grant and linebacker Jacquian Williams. Both players quickly re-entered the game, which New York won 28-16.
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"Well, from my standpoint on the sideline, I thought (Grant) was cramped," Coughlin said. "They were in a no-huddle situation, a hurry-up deal. I just thought he cramped at that time or definitely had something that was bothersome to him. ...
"When I looked out on the field, all I saw was the injured player."
When asked for a comment on the situation, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello pointed to the league rule that states: "The Competition Committee deprecates feigning injuries, with subsequent withdrawal, to obtain a timeout without penalty. Coaches are urged to cooperate in discouraging this practice. If a player or club admits to it, the action would be subject to discipline."
Rams quarterback Sam Bradford believes it was obvious the Giants were just buying time and trying to slow down St. Louis.
"They couldn't get subbed, they couldn't line up," Bradford said. "Someone said, 'Someone go down, someone go down,' so someone just went down and grabbed a cramp."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
