Starting Rams quarterback still in question
Nov 25, 2008 - 10:36:24 CST
ST. LOUIS (AP) — The St. Louis Rams apparently are close to getting their starting running back and left tackle back but the status of their starting quarterback remained in doubt Monday.
Rams coach Jim Haslett said Monday that running back Steven Jackson and left tackle Orlando Pace could practice and play this week against Miami but quarterback Marc Bulger’s concussion potentially could keep him out of that game.
Bulger is scheduled to have a neuropsych test on Wednesday that will ultimately decide his availability for the Dolphins contest.
“Doctors are very cautious nowadays anyways so I’m going to base it off what the doctors say and then this test he takes,” Haslett said. “Then we’ll go from there.”
Bulger suffered the third concussion of his career early in Sunday’s game against the Bears. With 10:30 left in the opening quarter, Chicago defensive end Adewale Ogunleye burst through the line untouched and hit Bulger with a vicious helmet to helmet shot.
Bulger left the game just four plays in and did not return. Haslett said Bulger returned to the sideline later in the game and seemed to be aware of what was happening.
“I thought he cleared up pretty well there at the end of the game and he felt good,” Haslett said. “I don’t think it was as bad as the ones in the past.”
Bulger’s previous concussions have kept him on the sidelines for a total of eight games. In 2005, he had his first concussion on Nov. 20 which, along with an arm injury, cost him the remaining six games of that season.
Last year, Bulger suffered his second concussion almost a year ago to the day when he left a Nov. 25 game against Seattle because of a similar hit. That one kept him out the following two weeks before a Dec. 16 return.
Trent Green replaced Bulger in Sunday’s game and struggled as he threw four interceptions and was sacked four times. Haslett said Green would start in Bulger’s place should Bulger be unable to pass the required tests to play against Miami.
The news was a little better for the offense when it comes to Pace and Jackson. Haslett said Jackson worked out Saturday and again Monday on his injured quadriceps and he could return to practice Wednesday.
“I am optimistic,” Haslett said. “I am not really sure what that means because we have said that for the last three or four weeks but he did look good Saturday and today running.”
Pace is in a similar situation and could return to practice Wednesday from a right medial collateral ligament injury.
Center Nick Leckey, meanwhile, will not be returning to practice this season after suffering a broken bone in his foot during pregame warm-ups Sunday.
Leckey is out for the season and will be placed on injured reserve. The Rams will likely fill his roster spot in the next day with another center according to Haslett.
Brett Romberg replaced Leckey against the Bears and is the presumed replacement in the starting lineup though Haslett said Richie Incognito could move over from guard with rookie John Greco stepping into that role.
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Rams coach Jim Haslett said Monday that running back Steven Jackson and left tackle Orlando Pace could practice and play this week against Miami but quarterback Marc Bulger’s concussion potentially could keep him out of that game.
Bulger is scheduled to have a neuropsych test on Wednesday that will ultimately decide his availability for the Dolphins contest.
“Doctors are very cautious nowadays anyways so I’m going to base it off what the doctors say and then this test he takes,” Haslett said. “Then we’ll go from there.”
Bulger suffered the third concussion of his career early in Sunday’s game against the Bears. With 10:30 left in the opening quarter, Chicago defensive end Adewale Ogunleye burst through the line untouched and hit Bulger with a vicious helmet to helmet shot.
Bulger left the game just four plays in and did not return. Haslett said Bulger returned to the sideline later in the game and seemed to be aware of what was happening.
“I thought he cleared up pretty well there at the end of the game and he felt good,” Haslett said. “I don’t think it was as bad as the ones in the past.”
Bulger’s previous concussions have kept him on the sidelines for a total of eight games. In 2005, he had his first concussion on Nov. 20 which, along with an arm injury, cost him the remaining six games of that season.
Last year, Bulger suffered his second concussion almost a year ago to the day when he left a Nov. 25 game against Seattle because of a similar hit. That one kept him out the following two weeks before a Dec. 16 return.
Trent Green replaced Bulger in Sunday’s game and struggled as he threw four interceptions and was sacked four times. Haslett said Green would start in Bulger’s place should Bulger be unable to pass the required tests to play against Miami.
The news was a little better for the offense when it comes to Pace and Jackson. Haslett said Jackson worked out Saturday and again Monday on his injured quadriceps and he could return to practice Wednesday.
“I am optimistic,” Haslett said. “I am not really sure what that means because we have said that for the last three or four weeks but he did look good Saturday and today running.”
Pace is in a similar situation and could return to practice Wednesday from a right medial collateral ligament injury.
Center Nick Leckey, meanwhile, will not be returning to practice this season after suffering a broken bone in his foot during pregame warm-ups Sunday.
Leckey is out for the season and will be placed on injured reserve. The Rams will likely fill his roster spot in the next day with another center according to Haslett.
Brett Romberg replaced Leckey against the Bears and is the presumed replacement in the starting lineup though Haslett said Richie Incognito could move over from guard with rookie John Greco stepping into that role.