St. Louis looks to Jackson
The future has arrived for the St. Louis Rams’ running game.
Now the Rams have to hope that rookie Steven Jackson, a young, fast, physical alternative to the aging Marshall Faulk, can stay on the field.
Jackson ran for a career-best 148 yards before bruising his right knee in the fourth quarter of Monday’s 20-7 victory over Philadelphia, a game that kept his team’s playoff hopes alive. He can get through holes that close before Faulk gets to them.
Jackson, who was healthy but didn’t play in last week’s loss to Arizona, averaged 6.2 yards per carry against the Eagles. Philadelphia went with reserves much of the game, having already clinched homefield advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. Still, he was every bit as effective on the game’s first drive when the Eagles starters were in the game, rushing six times for 46 yards.
“He’s terrific,” Rams coach Mike Martz said. “He looks like a great runner to me.”
Jackson’s play helped the Rams (7-8) ease quarterback Marc Bulger back into the mix after he had missed two games with a bruised right shoulder. St. Louis rushed for a season-best 209 yards on 44 carries, with Faulk contributing 54 yards.
Palmer itches to return
Carson Palmer doesn’t want to watch the season end.
Sidelined for the last two games by a sprained knee ligament, the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback is doing all the therapy and strengthening exercises allowed to get ready for the season finale.
He’s determined to play Sunday in Philadelphia, even though the game holds little meaning for either team. It matters to Palmer because he’s finding it a lot tougher to stand and watch this time around.
The 2003 Heisman Trophy winner and first overall draft pick didn’t take a snap last season, when Jon Kitna led the Bengals to an 8-8 finish. Palmer was elevated in the off-season and was showing improvement when he got hurt.
Around the league
Ben Roethlisberger’s ribs are only bruised and Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher listed the rookie quarterback as questionable for Sunday’s regular-season finale at Buffalo. … Dallas is ready to bid farewell to Darren Woodson, the last player left from their teams that won three Super Bowls in the mid-1990s. The 35-year-old safety hasn’t played all year because of injuries and was expected to retire or be released after this season. … Tennessee quarterback Steve McNair underwent surgery to strengthen his bruised chest, which has plagued him most of the season. Titans coach Jeff Fisher said in a statement that the surgery went as expected. … Denver placed running back Garrison Hearst on injured reserve with a broken left hand. Hearst, a 12-year veteran, two-time Pro Bowler and 2001 NFL Comeback Player of the Year, was signed as a free agent in the off-season.