Rams’ Bailey In Critical Condition After Shooting

Suspended St. Louis Rams wide receiver Stedman
Bailey is in critical but stable condition after being shot Tuesday
night, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated
Press.

The Rams said in a statement they were ''aware Stedman Bailey was
involved in an incident'' late Tuesday and that they had spoken
with him. The person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity
because details have not been released by the Rams did not specify
where the shooting took place.

Multiple reports said Bailey was in Miami Gardens, Florida, when he
was shot. Bailey went to high school in the Miami area.

Bailey, who turned 25 on Nov. 11, was a third-round pick in the
2013 draft out of West Virginia, where he was part of a prolific
wide receiving tandem with Tavon Austin, whom the Rams selected
with the eighth overall pick that year.

''We are aware Stedman Bailey was involved in an incident this
evening,'' the Rams' statement said. ''We have spoken with Stedman
and he is in the hospital in critical, but stable, condition. We
are gathering facts about the situation and will provide updates as
we learn more.''

Bailey was suspended four games earlier this month for violating
the NFL's substance abuse policy. He has two games remaining on the
ban.

He served a two-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs at
the start of last season.

Players from around the league reached out on social media shortly
after reports emerged.

''Keep our brother (at)iamSB3 in your thoughts, prayers tonight. I
don't wanna believe it....'' Rams defensive end Chris Long tweeted.

Pittsburgh Steelers star running back Le'Veon Bell used Twitter to
send his best wishes, too.

''prayers to my brother Stedman Bailey,'' he tweeted.

Bailey has started three games each of the last two seasons, and
this year has 12 receptions for 182 yards with one touchdown. Last
year, he had 30 receptions with a 14.5-yard average and one
touchdown.

The Rams signed free agent wide receiver Wes Welker after Bailey's
second suspension.