St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson is expected to play Thursday night against the Arizona Cardinals despite being listed as questionable with a groin injury, according to a tweet from ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Jackson has gotten off to a slow start in 2012. In the past two games, Jackson only produced a combined 84 yards on 29 carries, a 2.8 yards-per-carry average. The ninth-year running back has rushed for 195 yards in four games and has yet to reach the end zone in 2012. He's yet to top 60 yards in a game this season while battling the lingering groin injury.

There was some doubt Jackson would play Thursday night because of the short turnaround, but the Rams' offense (which ranks 20th in the league in rushing and 28th in passing) needs all the help it can get.

The Rams (2-2) host the undefeated Cardinals (4-0) in a big early-season NFC West showdown Thursday night at 7:20 p.m. CT in a game televised by NFL Network.

This post first appeared on SBNation.com.