The Rams are expected to make a formal contract offer to free agent G/T Rodger Saffold in the near future.

The Rams and the agents for Saffold met at the Combine, but no official offers were made. It's just a matter of time. GM Les Snead has made no secret about his desire to re-sign Saffold, Evan Silva's No. 32 free agent. The Rams have exclusive negotiating rights until March 8.

Rams GM Les Snead confirmed the team will not use the franchise tag on G/T Rodger Saffold or any other free agent.

"We will try to get Saffold done, just through natural, regular negotiations," Snead said. The Rams have stated that Saffold is the top priority among their own free agents, but he's not worth the hefty offensive line franchise tag of $11.2 million since St. Louis views him as a guard. Saffold can play every position on the line save center, so he's expected to have a healthy market.

According to XTRA 910 Phoenix's Mike Jurecki, free agent G/T Rodger Saffold is expected to be "on the Cardinals' radar" if he hits the open market.

Arizona needs help at both tackle positions and right guard. Saffold's best position is guard, but it's no secret his preference is tackle, probably because that's where the most money is in the NFL. The Rams have made it clear they value Saffold most at guard, making it quite conceivable that he gets away.

Speaking Friday, Rams coach Jeff Fisher said free agent G/T Rodger Saffold is "ultimately (going) to be an outstanding guard in this league."

The Rams will meet with free agent G/T Rodger Saffold's agent at the Combine on Saturday.

Saffold is the Rams' No. 1 priority among their own free agents. All five of St. Louis' offensive line positions are unsettled at this point, and Saffold profiles as a guard in the Rams' eyes. Saffold will likely test free agency to see if he can find a team willing to let him play left tackle, but we'd be surprised if that happens. Saffold can play every position on the line except for center.

Rams GM Les Snead acknowledged he'd like to re-sign impending free agent G/T Rodger Saffold.

The Rams seem to favor Saffold as a guard, while he might see himself as a tackle. He started six of the final seven games at right guard and drew rave reviews from Pro Football Focus' game charters. Coach Jeff Fisher pinpointed Saffold's ability to "pull" from the guard spot. He showed truly elite run-blocking skills in those six starts. The Rams are expected to release RG Harvey Dahl, so Saffold could be re-signed and plugged in there. He may choose to test the market first.

The Rams are not expected to use the franchise or transition tag on impending free agent G/T Rodger Saffold.

Retaining Saffold is thought to be the Rams' No. 1 priority in free agency, especially in the wake of Jake Long's ACL tear. But he's simply not worth the roughly $9.8 million they'd have to pay him on a one-year franchise tender -- especially considering he has missed at least four games in three straight years. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch wouldn't be surprised if Saffold ends up testing the open market in March.

Impending free agent OT Rodger Saffold is "anything but certain" to re-sign with the Rams.

The Rams offseason plans took an unexpected turn on Sunday as Jake Long blew out his knee. They could try to bring back Saffold as a stop-gap option at left tackle, or they could use one of their first-round picks on a tackle such as Texas A&M's Jake Matthews. Saffold has played right guard and tackle, receiving positive grades from Pro Football Focus in both run and pass blocking.

Rodger Saffold is expected to start at right guard for the Rams on Sunday against the Colts.

Harvey Dahl is out with a knee injury. Saffold has been rotating at right tackle with Joe Barksdale since Saffold returned from a knee injury of his own a couple weeks ago. Some around the game believe Saffold makes a better guard than tackle. At 6-foot-5, 314 pounds, Saffold hasn't played guard since middle school.

Rams RT Rodger Saffold (knee) says he's "between 90 and 100 percent" healthy.

Saffold was removed from the injury report this week and will suit up for Sunday's game against the Panthers. However, it's yet to be determined if he or fill-in Joe Barksdale will get the start. Barksdale has graded out as Pro Football Focus' No. 5 overall right tackle since taking over in Week 2.

Rams RT Rodger Saffold (knee) has been ruled out for Thursday night's Week 4 game against the 49ers.

Saffold has yet to resume practicing and remains week-to-week. Joe Barksdale will continue to start in his absence.

Rams RT Rodger Saffold suffered a sprained MCL in Sunday's Week 2 loss to the Falcons.

Saffold is considered "week-to-week" and the injury will not require surgery. He won't play Sunday against the Cowboys and doesn't have a set timetable for return. Joe Barksdale will start at right tackle in his absence.

Rams RT Rodger Saffold is scheduled for a Monday MRI on his knee.

One of the most injury-prone players in the league, Saffold missed six games in 2012 and seven in 2011. Backup Joe Barksdale came on for 66 percent of the snaps against the Falcons Sunday and gave up two quarterback hits but no sacks.

Rams RT Rodger Saffold was carted off the field in the second quarter of Sunday's Week 2 game against the Falcons with a knee injury.

This is becoming a weekly thing for Saffold. He can never seem to make it through a game without getting hurt. Joe Barksdale is in at right tackle.

Rams RT Rodger Saffold (dislocated shoulder) will be active for Saturday's regular season dress rehearsal against the Broncos.

Saffold ended up needing just two weeks to get healthy. The trick will be staying that way during the regular season. Saffold has missed 13 total games over the past two seasons.

Rams RT Rodger Saffold (dislocated shoulder) has been cleared for individual drills.

It's an important step, but absorbing oncoming rushers will be the real test for Saffold's bum shoulder. Nevertheless, he remains on track for Week 1, which is 19 days away.

The Rams are "hopeful" RT Rodger Saffold (dislocated shoulder) can return this week.

The Rams are having their regular season dress rehearsal on Saturday in Denver, and would love to get Saffold some live reps at his new position. Even if Saffold can't go against the Broncos, he appears fully on track for Week 1.

Rams coach Jeff Fisher revealed RT Rodger Saffold dislocated his left shoulder in Thursday night's preseason opener, and is expected to be sidelined "a couple of preseason games."

It's a more serious injury than Saffold and Fisher previously indicated, but not one that should threaten Saffold's Week 1 availability. In a contract year, Saffold's 2014 market value is still likely to be adversely affected because he hasn't shown much durability as a pro. Joseph Barksdale will fill in as St. Louis' starting right tackle. Barksdale held up reasonably well after replacing Saffold on Thursday night against the Browns.

Rams RT Rodger Saffold underwent X-rays on his injured left shoulder, and they came back negative.

Saffold injured his left shoulder on the second play of Thursday night's game against the Browns, but coach Jeff Fisher was confident he'd be okay. It doesn't sound like there's a major injury, and Saffold should be fine.

Rams RT Rodger Saffold suffered a left shoulder injury in Friday's preseason opener against the Browns and did not return.

Saffold, trying to make the switch from left tackle to right tackle, was hurt on the second offensive play. He was expected to see more reps than the other offensive line starters to get him better acclimated to the right side.