NFL WEEK 12 PLAYER UPDATE

November 22, 2005 1:00 PM ET

Marc Bulger is expected to miss significant time with a right shoulder injury he suffered during Sunday's loss to the Cardinals. The veteran quarterback, who has already missed four games due to shoulder problems over the last two seasons, aggravated the injury to his throwing shoulder during Sunday's loss to the Cardinals. The most optimistic projected return date suggests that Bulger could return to action just in time for the fantasy playoffs in week 14. However, there are also skeptics within the Rams organization who are questioning whether he has played his last game of the 2005 season.

Bulger missed a pair of games earlier this season with a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder. A team official said Monday night that this injury is more significant. "The MRI results were negative," a team official told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Monday night. "But there's a lot more swelling in there. He's going to be out for quite a while."

The five-year veteran suffered the latest injury when he was sacked by Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson late in the third quarter on Sunday. He immediately clutched his shoulder and was helped off the field by trainers. It was later revealed that Bulger suffered a concussion on the play. Backup signal caller Jamie Martin replaced Bulger on Sunday, but also suffered bruised ribs during the game.

Despite the injury, Martin is expected to make his third start of the season when the Rams visit the Texans on Sunday. The 11-year veteran is 2-0 as a starter this year and averaged 198 yards and a touchdown in those games. Martin's numbers were down from Bulger's usual stat line, but it must be noted that wide receivers Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce missed those games with their own injuries. Kevin Curtis led the team in receiving with a two-game total of 174 yards and one touchdown reception. Curtis also added a rushing touchdown during one of those contests.

 

If last year is any indication, Holt will remain a steady play despite the absence of Bulger. In the two games Bulger missed in 2004, Holt had 12 receptions for 246 yards and a touchdown. Contrarily, Bruce struggled with just seven grabs for 64 yards in those same games.

The only Rams starter who actually benefits from Bulger's injury is Steven Jackson. The second-year running back averaged 137 yards and a touchdown in the two games Martin started back in weeks seven and eight – the only weeks in which Jackson has been given 20 or more carries all season.

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