The deep defensive line of the has taken a major hit.Coach told reporters Dennis Maruk Jersey Wednesday that pa s rusher is set to undergo ankle surgery this week and will mi s at least games.The team later announced that Long had been placed on their injured reserve-designated to return list, meaning it will be at least eight weeks before he can return to in-game action.Long was hurt in Sunday's season-opening lo s to the . The seventh-year veteran has started 85 games and piled up Madison Bowey Jersey 50.5 sacks since St. Louis made Nic Dowd Jersey him the No. 2 overall pick of the 2008 .Long's spot in the lineup is expected to go to Will Hayes, a 29-year-old pa s rusher who has 12 sacks over the past two seasons. The will also lean on promising first-rounder and the undrafted for production.It's been a brutal start to the season for St. Louis. Weeks after losing starting quarterback for the year, the now travel forward without one of their premier pa s rushers.The St. Louis offense is Kody Clark Jersey a me s, but the tandem of Long and gave the a chance for life from week to week. With Long Matt Niskanen Jersey on the shelf, 's squad now looms as the odd man out in the rough-and-tumble NFC West.The latest makes some bold predictions about the 2014 season and .