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By Chris Ruddick, NFL Analyst
(Sports Network) - St. Louis Rams quarterback Marc Bulger returned to the practice field on Wednesday, but it still remains a long shot that he will be under center when his team heads to the desert on Sunday to face the Arizona Cardinals at Sun Devil Stadium.
Bulger, who missed last week’s loss to Carolina with a right shoulder sprain, threw the ball in warm-ups and about another 12 in some short team drills.
"He threw the ball much better today than I predicted," Martz said. "He didn’t turn it loose. He feels like he could, but he didn’t attempt to. We’ll just let it go until Friday and see where is on Friday."
Chris Chandler, who was brutal in throwing six interceptions in the loss to the Panthers, worked with the first unit, and remains the likely starter on Sunday, despite his miserable performance.
"It was just a bad thing on my part," said Chandler. "I’ve never had a day like that. I’m still trying to sort it out."
Martz, though, might be more inclined to bench Chandler this week if the veteran QB struggles again. Last week Martz said it was not even a consideration, as rookie backup Jeff Smoker has yet to play a game this season. This week Jamie Martin, who was with the Rams in 1996 and from 2001-02, will be the team's backup.
Martz, though said he would wait as long as he has to make a decision on Bulger.
"If there’s any doubt, we will keep him out," Martz said. "I think Sunday morning is pretty good (in determining when he will play). We’ll get him out in the parking lot and pitch it around a little bit and we’ll roll. I would not hesitate one minute if on Friday he is ready to go."
In other injury news running backs Steven Jackson and Marshall Faulk returned to practice Wednesday and both could play this week.
Faulk has not played since November 29 against Buffalo, while Jackson missed last week's game with a bruised knee one week after making his first career start.
"I think we might be at full strength at running back," Martz said.
The same, though, cannot be said about veteran safety Aeneas Williams, whose season could be over after suffering stinger in his neck in Sunday's loss.
"Aeneas is probably done for awhile," Martz said.
The Rams gave up control of the division last Sunday with the 20-7 setback.
The St. Louis loss, coupled with a Seattle win over Minnesota, placed the Seahawks back atop the NFC West. The defeat also knocked the Rams out of the final wild card spot, as the similarly 6-7 Panthers earned that position by virtue of its head-to-head victory over St. Louis.
In addition to Carolina, six 5-8 teams will be looking to gain ground on the Rams this Sunday.
INJURIES: In addition to those already mentioned, guard Chris Dishman (knee) is questionable, while cornerbacks Jerametrius Butler (knee) and Travis Fisher (knee), defensive end Tyoka Jackson (toe), linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa (shoulder) and offensive lineman Grant Williams (shoulder) are all listed as probable.
UP NEXT: The Rams try to keep their playoff hopes alive this week in Arizona against the 4-9 Cardinals.
St. Louis holds a 28-21-2 lead in the all-time series with Arizona, including victories in the last five meetings. The Rams won a 17-10 home matchup against the Cardinals in Week 1.
The Rams won the only postseason meeting between the two, with the then Los Angeles-based franchise pulling out a 35-23 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1975 NFC Divisional Playoff.
Martz is 5-0 all-time against the Cardinals, and 2-0 head-to-head versus Arizona head coach Dennis Green.
12/16 14:17:51 ET
(Sports Network) - St. Louis Rams quarterback Marc Bulger returned to the practice field on Wednesday, but it still remains a long shot that he will be under center when his team heads to the desert on Sunday to face the Arizona Cardinals at Sun Devil Stadium.
Bulger, who missed last week’s loss to Carolina with a right shoulder sprain, threw the ball in warm-ups and about another 12 in some short team drills.
"He threw the ball much better today than I predicted," Martz said. "He didn’t turn it loose. He feels like he could, but he didn’t attempt to. We’ll just let it go until Friday and see where is on Friday."
Chris Chandler, who was brutal in throwing six interceptions in the loss to the Panthers, worked with the first unit, and remains the likely starter on Sunday, despite his miserable performance.
"It was just a bad thing on my part," said Chandler. "I’ve never had a day like that. I’m still trying to sort it out."
Martz, though, might be more inclined to bench Chandler this week if the veteran QB struggles again. Last week Martz said it was not even a consideration, as rookie backup Jeff Smoker has yet to play a game this season. This week Jamie Martin, who was with the Rams in 1996 and from 2001-02, will be the team's backup.
Martz, though said he would wait as long as he has to make a decision on Bulger.
"If there’s any doubt, we will keep him out," Martz said. "I think Sunday morning is pretty good (in determining when he will play). We’ll get him out in the parking lot and pitch it around a little bit and we’ll roll. I would not hesitate one minute if on Friday he is ready to go."
In other injury news running backs Steven Jackson and Marshall Faulk returned to practice Wednesday and both could play this week.
Faulk has not played since November 29 against Buffalo, while Jackson missed last week's game with a bruised knee one week after making his first career start.
"I think we might be at full strength at running back," Martz said.
The same, though, cannot be said about veteran safety Aeneas Williams, whose season could be over after suffering stinger in his neck in Sunday's loss.
"Aeneas is probably done for awhile," Martz said.
The Rams gave up control of the division last Sunday with the 20-7 setback.
The St. Louis loss, coupled with a Seattle win over Minnesota, placed the Seahawks back atop the NFC West. The defeat also knocked the Rams out of the final wild card spot, as the similarly 6-7 Panthers earned that position by virtue of its head-to-head victory over St. Louis.
In addition to Carolina, six 5-8 teams will be looking to gain ground on the Rams this Sunday.
INJURIES: In addition to those already mentioned, guard Chris Dishman (knee) is questionable, while cornerbacks Jerametrius Butler (knee) and Travis Fisher (knee), defensive end Tyoka Jackson (toe), linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa (shoulder) and offensive lineman Grant Williams (shoulder) are all listed as probable.
UP NEXT: The Rams try to keep their playoff hopes alive this week in Arizona against the 4-9 Cardinals.
St. Louis holds a 28-21-2 lead in the all-time series with Arizona, including victories in the last five meetings. The Rams won a 17-10 home matchup against the Cardinals in Week 1.
The Rams won the only postseason meeting between the two, with the then Los Angeles-based franchise pulling out a 35-23 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1975 NFC Divisional Playoff.
Martz is 5-0 all-time against the Cardinals, and 2-0 head-to-head versus Arizona head coach Dennis Green.
12/16 14:17:51 ET
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