NFL

Martz may have heart infection

By wire services
Published October 6, 2005

St. Louis Rams coach Mike Martz has an infection of the heart that will require treatment with antibiotics and keep him out of practice for a couple of days.

"I haven't been feeling good for four or five weeks and there is some type of infection in my body that has gotten worse," he said Wednesday. "They think they've identified what it is."

The 54-year-old Martz said doctors believe he has endocarditis, a bacterial infection of the heart's inner lining or the heart valve. Martz will undergo a series of tests over the next week to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment involves taking antibiotics over a long period, Martz said. "This is something that if you let it go, it could become a real issue."

Martz was hospitalized Friday with what doctors believed was a sinus infection. He was released the next day and coached the Rams on Sunday in their 44-24 loss to the New York Giants.

Martz said he would continue to do some scripting and game planning in the mornings the next few days, but planned to go home before practice begins. Joe Vitt, the assistant head coach and linebackers coach, ran practice last week in Martz's absence.

Vitt said at practice Wednesday that he expects Martz will be back coaching in Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks.

BILLS: Coach Mike Mularkey isn't saying who will start at quarterback Sunday against Miami. J.P. Losman, in his first season as starter, is averaging 108 yards passing, has completed less than 48 percent of his attempts and has acknowledged he's still hesitant at times in the pocket. If he doesn't start, Kelly Holcomb would get the call.

COWBOYS: Former quarterback Quincy Carter could win $1-million in damages if an arbitrator rules that he was unfairly terminated before last season. The team and the NFL Players Association squared off over the matter during a 10-hour arbitration hearing at the team's Valley Ranch headquarters. The arbitrator's final decision, however, could take weeks or even months, NFLPA general counsel Richard Berthelsen said.

EAGLES: All-Pro safety Brian Dawkins and Pro Bowl middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter sat out practice Wednesday, but neither is expected to miss Sunday's game at Dallas. Dawkins injured his ankle in the Eagles' comeback victory over Kansas City, but finished the game. An MRI showed no severe damage. Trotter has a quadriceps contusion.

LIONS: wide receiver Charles Rogers was suspended Wednesday for four games for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, the latest setback in his injury-plagued career. The suspension is the latest in a series of problems for the second overall choice in the 2003 draft, who missed much of his first two seasons after breaking his right collarbone twice.

SEAHAWKS: Starting wide receivers Bobby Engram and Darrell Jackson were listed as doubtful for Sunday's game at St. Louis. Engram cracked two ribs in last week's 20-17 loss to Washington, although he went on to catch nine passes for 106 yards, before sitting out the fourth quarter and overtime. Jackson has a bone bruise in his right knee that flared up last week. He played against the Redskins and had seven catches for 55 yards, including a 6-yard touchdown reception that tied the score at 17 with 1:23 left.

Also, punter Leo Araguz was released Wednesday after averaging 33 yards a kick last week against Washington. Veteran punter Tom Rouen was signed to take his place.

[Last modified October 6, 2005, 01:14:18]