The Rams will be without cornerback Jerametrius Butler for the 2005 season after it was learned that he will require surgery to repair a torn posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. The procedure will be performed on Monday. Butler injured his knee on the first day of training camp.

That means third-year player DeJuan Groce will move up into the starting role, along with Travis Fisher. Last year it was Fisher who was injured before the season began, when he broke an arm against the Chiefs in a pre-season game. Head coach Mike Martz told the media yesterday that Groce was actually performing better than any of the cornerbacks so far this season.

Butler’s numbers last year point to how much he’ll be missed in 2005: he recorded 78 tackles and five interceptions.