Despite rumblings over the weekend that there might be some movement on the Steven Jackson front, sources familiar with the negotiations say there was no dialogue between the Rams and Jackson's agent save for a brief phone call Friday between the parties. As of Sunday, the Pro Bowl running back had missed 24 days of training camp and the preseason, 24 practices and two preseason games. At $15,116 per day, his fine total stands at $362,784 ? or just under the minimum base salary for a second-year NFL player. For the first time, Rams coach Scott Linehan conceded Sunday that time is of the essence in getting Jackson ready for the season opener Sept. 7 in Philadelphia. "It is getting critical to where time now becomes more of an issue for just the physical part of getting ready for the opener," Linehan said. "Every day we miss now ? does start to factor in as to what the workload will be from the start. "I know he's working hard. And I know he's training. And he'll be in very good shape when he does get in."