Bulger sidelined after sack in 1st quarter

By R.B. FALLSTROM
AP Sports Writer

ST. LOUIS (AP) — St. Louis Rams quarterback Marc Bulger sustained a concussion on a sack in the team’s first series against Chicago on Sunday, and his status for next week’s game was uncertain.

Bulger was unavailable after the game, but coach Jim Haslett thought the quarterback’s condition had improved before the end of the game, saying, “I thought he looked fine in the second half.”

Center Brett Romberg was also optimistic about Bulger’s chances to play next week against Miami. Bulger missed four games last season, two with a concussion believed to be the first of any severity in his career, and two with broken ribs.

“He got zinged on that first drive,” Romberg said. “I don’t know exactly who hit him or how it happened but yeah, I think he got his bell rung a little bit.

“I don’t think it’s crazy serious or anything, but he definitely was a little bothered.”

Bulger lasted only five plays in a 27-3 loss to the Bears. He was hurt when the Bears’ Adewale Ogunleye came in untouched for an 8-yard loss to end the first possession and finished 2-for-2 for 11 yards.

Bulger sat on the bench, surrounded by medical personnel, as Ogunleye sacked Green to help stuff the Rams’ second series.

The Bears intercepted backup quarterback Trent Green four times and third-stringer Brock Berlin was 1-for-3 for 6 yards.

Haslett addressed fan sentiment against Bulger the last several weeks, noting that Bulger’s backups also failed to produce.

“Anybody else want another quarterback?” Haslett said.

The Rams’ other significant injury occurred during pregame warmups. Romberg started at center after Nick Leckey injured an ankle.