NFL Notes: Cards to use caution with QB

TEMPE, Ariz. — Kurt Warner went through another full practice on Friday, but the Arizona quarterback was listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Tennessee.

Warner practiced all week after suffering a concussion in last Sunday's 21-13 victory at St. Louis. He passed all the required mental tests on Tuesday.

Warner and Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt have said they plan to be cautious as they deal with the head injury. In addition to the concussion, Warner has had tightness in his neck.

He has started 41 consecutive games for Arizona. If he doesn't go, Matt Leinart is the backup.

Kicker Neil Rackers (sore groin) also is listed as questionable.

QB Manning probable for Colts' game

INDIANAPOLIS — Colts quarterback Peyton Manning has returned to full practice from an injury to his backside and is probable for Sunday's AFC South game at Houston.

Manning had seen limited work Wednesday and Thursday before participating in the full workout on Friday.

Also listed as probable are receivers Reggie Wayne (foot) and Pierre Garcon (ankle), safeties Melvin Bullitt (shoulder) and Antoine Bethea (foot), running backs Joseph Addai (knee) and Donald Brown (shoulder), tight ends Tom Santi (hip) and Jacob Tamme (quadriceps), defensive ends Robert Mathis (neck) and Raheem Brock (neck), cornerback Jerraud Powers (knee), center Jeff Saturday (calf) and tackle Tony Ugoh (knee).

Defensive end Dwight Freeney (abdomen), linebacker Ramon Humber (calf), tackle Charlie Johnson (foot), tight end Gijon Robinson (concussion), quarterback Jim Sorgi (right shoulder) and cornerback Kelvin Hayden (knee) are questionable.

Seahawks RB Jones is game-time decision

RENTON, Wash. — Seahawks running back Julius Jones will be a game-time decision for Sunday's matchup at St. Louis.

Jones missed last week with a lung contusion suffered against the Arizona Cardinals on Nov. 15. He did not practice at all last week and was held out of practice on Wednesday before returning to limited duty the past two practices.

Seahawks coach Jim Mora said on Wednesday that they expected him to be ready to go this week, but backtracked on Friday as he is listed as questionable on the injury report.

“We're going to have to see where Julius is on Sunday,” Mora said. “I believe that it's looking more and more like it's going to be a game-time decision. ... There's some things that look good and there are just some questions we have, so with two more days of rest we will have a better feel.”

QB Bulger's future as a Ram is questionable

ST. LOUIS — Some in St. Louis wonder if Marc Bulger has played his last game with the Rams. The quarterback says it's too early to speculate about his future.

Bulger will miss at least three weeks and could be out for the remaining six games with a fractured left shin bone. He was on crutches Friday at practice and said there will be plenty of time to determine if he is back in 2010.

“We've got six weeks to go in this season and whether I come back this season, we'll see,” Bulger said. “We'll have plenty of time on the offseason to make those (other) decisions. I don't want to be a distraction in any way. We're thinking optimistic around here.”

Kyle Boller will start Sunday as St. Louis (1-9) hosts Seattle (3-7).

Bulger injured the shin two weeks ago in a 28-23 loss to New Orleans, and it became worse in last Sunday's 21-13 loss to Arizona. The magnitude of the injury caught Bulger by surprise.

“We checked it out (after New Orleans) and the ligaments were fine and when you check knees you look at the ligaments,” Bulger said. “You never think in a million years that it could possibly be a bone. You get sore knees every week in this league.

“If you're not willing to play with pain, there's guys right behind you willing to take your job.”

Boller has played in three games, with two starts this year. He has completed 49 of 86 passes for 481 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.

“He's played a lot of football in this league,” coach Steve Spagnuolo said. “I think the guys around him feel real confident.”

Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said Boller has been solid filling in for Bulger.

“Kyle has played a lot of games in this league and he's won a lot of games in this league,” Shurmur said. “I anticipate he's going to go out and have a nice day.”

Bulger said he hopes to be on the sideline Sunday, providing some mentoring for rookie third-string quarterback Keith Null.

It was another injury that gave Bulger the starting job in St. Louis, replacing Kurt Warner in 2003. Warner had led the Rams to a 40-17 record as a starter and to two Super Bowls, winning one. Along the way, Warner earned two MVP awards and a Super Bowl MVP.

Bulger has had his moments, guiding St. Louis to a 12-4 record in 2003, and went to the Pro Bowl in 2004 and 2006, when he threw for more than 4,000 yards. After that season, the Rams rewarded him with a six-year contract worth $65 million.

But a team in decline and injuries have limited Bulger's effectiveness since. It doesn't help that Bulger has played under five head coaches and numerous offensive coordinators and quarterback coaches.

Bulger knows the quarterback is always going to take much of the blame when things go wrong.

“I think you could go to any team in the NFL right now, well maybe 30 teams, and the quarterback is getting grief one week or another, whether it's a Pro Bowler and the team is 9-1 or 8-2,” Bulger said. “It comes with the position and I know it sounds like a cliché, but you know what you're getting yourself into. It's part of your job.

“If you can't take it, then become a punter.”

For now, Bulger isn't ruling out playing again this season.

“I'd love to come back and play a couple of games,” Bulger said. “At the same time, it might not happen.”

Three-game streak helps Packers' position

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Two weeks ago, the Green Bay Packers were reeling.

They had just suffered a rough loss at the previously winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their playoff hopes seemed dim with a 4-4 record.

Winning three consecutive games in 12 days makes a big difference.

After beating Detroit 34-12 on Thanksgiving, the 7-4 Packers are in good shape in the NFC playoff race and will have a long rest before starting the stretch run of the season.

“We feel good about what we've accomplished the last 12 days,” offensive tackle Mark Tauscher said. “We've gone from getting beat up a little bit to now we're sitting in a position where we can accomplish what we want.”

With the Packers idle until they play a Monday night game against Baltimore on Dec. 7, coach Mike McCarthy is giving the players the next three days off.

“The ability to walk away with three victories is something we feel good about,” McCarthy said. “We have an opportunity to get some rest (and) get healthy, which we haven't been.”

— The Associated Press

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