ST. LOUIS - So far, the Rams are doing just fine without their two bookend offensive tackles. It would have been logical had quarterback Marc Bulger been concerned considering Orlando Pace is holding out again and Kyle Turley hasn't practiced since re-injuring his surgically repaired back.
But Bulger was hit only twice in a 13-10 overtime loss to the Bears Thursday night.
"The (line) did a fantastic job," Bulger said. "I didn't have too many pressures, and the one sack was a hot route."
Grant Williams stepped in for Pace, as he's done in the past. Scott Tercero, a sixth-round pick last year who missed the entire season with a knee injury, was solid at Turley's right tackle spot.
Andy McCollum, who has moved from guard to center while Dave Wohlabaugh recovers from hip surgery, is more experienced at center anyway. And Andy King, who has minimal experience, was solid at McCollum's left guard spot.
"They came through fine," coach Mike Martz said. "I really watched the offensive line in the first half as much as I could. The protection held up well."
It is just a matter of time before Pace, designated as the franchise player for the second straight year, agrees to a one-year tender. And doctors are hopeful that Turley will be back soon after he visited two specialists. He roamed the sideline in street clothes during the game, although he didn't stick around afterward.
CARDINALS: Former Buc Karl Williams will start in coach Dennis Green's three wide receiver system tonight against Minnesota because of the injuries to Bryant Johnson (right foot) and Anquan Boldin (right knee). Boldin, a former Florida State standout, had arthroscopic surgery Wednesday and is expected to miss 8-12 weeks. Johnson had a boot removed that he wore a month to protect a stress fracture.
COWBOYS: Quarterback Drew Henson, a former Yankees third baseman drafted by Houston but traded to Dallas, will make his debut tonight against the Texans. "That is ironic," Henson said. "It will be nice. The (Texans) did a lot for me helping me get here, and I do appreciate that. It will be nice to go there." Henson hasn't played football since the 2001 Citrus Bowl. He was a junior at Michigan then. But he left his career with the Wolverines, signing a $12-million deal with the Yankees.
EAGLES: Reno Mahe is the early favorite to win the punt return job, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. He likely will occupy the No. 3 running back spot as well.
FALCONS: Fred Weary returned an interception 49 yards for a touchdown as Baltimore spoiled the debut of coach Jim Mora 24-0 in the preseason opener late Thursday. "It's extremely tough to win games in this league when you have 11 penalties, you're minus-2 on the turnover ratio, you run the ball for 53 yards, give up 113 rushing, kill drives the way we did with penalties and keep drives alive the way we did with penalties," Mora said. Quarterback Michael Vick left after the first series, and rookie Matt Schaub went 12-for-24 for 108 yards and two interceptions.
PACKERS: Coach Mike Sherman insisted Thursday that he was only being cautious when he held running back Ahman Green out of the practice sessions for consecutive days, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Green first started feeling soreness in his foot Saturday during a scrimmage at Lambeau Field and changed shoes to see whether it would make a difference. When he returned, the soreness was still there and he had trouble pushing off. Sherman described the injury as nothing more than "a sore foot," possibly the result of tying his shoe too tightly.
REDSKINS: Veteran offensive lineman Ray Brown, 41, signed. A 19-year veteran who played for Washington from 1989-95, Brown will try to fill the spot at right offensive tackle that was vacated when Jon Jansen ruptured his left Achilles' tendon Monday against Denver. "I can do this year; that's what I'm excited about," Brown told the Virginian Pilot.
SAINTS: Quarterback Aaron Brooks (quads) was held out of the preseason opener against the Jets. Todd Bouman started.
VIKINGS: Tight end Jermaine Wiggins returned to action after separating his shoulder last week. Should he make the team, Wiggins would back up Jim Kleinsasser.
