The St. Louis Rams were aggressive with Sam Bradford's injury the week it happened, leaving him a game-time decision against the Dallas Cowboys, but they've been cautious with his high-ankle sprain ever since: By the time A.J. Feeley started again in the Rams' win over the New Orleans Saints there was no question Bradford would miss his second game in a row. Still wearing a boot, the Rams have yet to announce an ETA for their star's return.
Without him the Rams' offense has shown some signs of life that could be useful when he is healthy: Steven Jackson erupted against the Saints, turning in his best rushing performance in nearly three years, while Brandon Lloyd has caught 12 passes and a touchdown in his first two games since joining the Rams from Josh McDaniels's previous gig with the Denver Broncos.
The Rams having avoided the worst-case-scenario 1-6, Bradford's imminent return becomes more and more important—they're out of slack, but they still have a shot, so long as they aren't starting A.J. Feeley over the last nine weeks of the season.