ST. LOUIS -- Linebacker Shaun Phillips got hit with ëThe Other Guy' tag last season. During Saturday's first quarter, he was ëThe Guy.' Often playing in the shadow of Pro Bowl linebacker Shawne Merriman, Phillips forced two fumbles and had a sack in the opening quarter of the Chargers' preseason game against the Rams.

"I was just out there trying to do my part," Phillips said after the 30-13 victory. "Everybody on this team has a role, and I just wanted to go out there and help my team try to get a victory, whether it's preseason or regular season."

Phillips had 11 1/2 sacks last season and earned a contract extension that runs through the 2012 season.

Merriman had an NFL-high 17 sacks and isn't a big fan of ëThe Other Guy' label that found Phillips.

"I never looked at him as ëThe Other Guy' in the first place," Merriman said. "I just try to go out there and dominate each play."

Gross injured

Running back Tyronne Gross dislocated his right kneecap midway through the final quarter. Gross will be re-evaluated to determine the length of time he'll be sidelined.

"Tyronne Gross has worked so hard," Chargers coach Norv Turner said. "He's such a neat kid and a talented player. I was really disappointed to see him get hurt."

Gross spent last season on the team's practice squad.

He played his college football at Eastern Oregon.

The only other injury reported after the game was a high ankle sprain suffered by defensive tackle Brandon McKinney.

Talented backs watch

As expected, LaDainian Tomlinson didn't suit up for the contest. He wasn't the only star running back to serve in the role of spectator.

St. Louis featured back Steven Jackson dressed for the game but took the field only for the Rams' first offensive play. He didn't touch the ball.

Brian Leonard, a second-round pick out of Rutgers, handled the bulk of the rushing workload for the Rams, carrying 17 times for 49 yards. Michael Turner led the Chargers with 48 yards on nine carries.

Tackle machine

New starting inside linebacker Steven Cooper had 12 tackles in the first half, a total that would have represented a career high if it were a regular-season contest. Cooper had 11 stops against Seattle last December.

Cooper, however, wasn't satisfied despite his abundance of tackles.

"Honestly, no," Cooper said. "I wish I did a little bit better job tackling-wise."

Et cetera

WR Craig Davis started ahead of Malcom Floyd and caught two passes for 9 yards. Vincent Jackson led the Chargers with three receptions. … P Mike Scifres had his typical impressive performance, averaging 52.3 yards on three punts. Scifres had a 64-yard punt in the second quarter and a 56-yarder in the third. His short punt of 37 yards was downed at the Rams' 6 by Kassim Osgood. . … The Chargers waived defensive end Barry Cryer, an undrafted rookie free agent from Nebraska. … Jackson twice got called for penalties for moving before the snap of the ball. Floyd was called for a false start, his penalty coming just two plays after Jackson's second miscue.