Rams' quarterback Marc Bulger failed medical tests and has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Atlanta. The news came Thursday, four days after Bulger sustained a concussion against the Seahawks. Bulger left in the first quarter and was held out of practice Wednesday.

Rams' quarterback Marc Bulger was held out of practice Wednesday, three days after sustaining a concussion, and his availability remained in doubt for this week's game. Bulger, who was hospitalized for a few hours on Sunday, was scheduled for an exam and baseline test later in the day and did not speak to reporters. Bulger said on Monday he felt much better and expected to play against the Atlanta Falcons, but backup Gus Frerotte's assessment was not so positive. "He just seems kind of like he was after the game," Frerotte said. "You can talk to him and he understands what's going on. But he's just a little groggy." Coach Scott Linehan said he'd leave the decision to medical personnel.

Marc Bulger said Monday that his concussion was relatively minor, and if he's cleared by team doctors later this week he will play Sunday against Atlanta. "I feel better than (Sunday)," Bulger said Monday afternoon. "I'm going to play it by ear here the next couple days." Bulger will take what's called a baseline test either today or Wednesday. Players are asked a series of questions in the spring. Bulger will be asked those same questions in the baseline test, with those answers compared to his answers from last spring. Even though he plans to play Sunday, he wants to make sure his head is right.

St. Louis Rams' quarterback Marc Bulger suffered a concussion in Sunday's 24-19 loss to Seattle, and Coach Scott Linehan said it was too early to know if he'll be available for next week's game against Atlanta. Bulger left after making a shovel pass midway through the first quarter. He was hit by several players but threw a pass that was intercepted by defensive end Patrick Kerney. However, Linehan said Bulger was initially hurt on the Rams' first possession on a blindside sack by linebacker Leroy Hill. "He didn't seem quite right on the sidelines," Linehan said. "We talked a little bit, and I could tell by looking at him right when he walked off that something was different." "He mentioned that he didn't feel good, and that is a big concern. He said he was starting to feel nauseous." Bulger, who missed two games earlier this season with broken ribs, walked on his own to the locker room. He was replaced by Gus Frerotte.

Unexpectedly, nothing came on the side for Matt Hasselbeck on Friday. The Seahawks were hoping their quarterback might be able to throw on the side sometime before the NFC West leaders (6-4) flew to St. Louis to play the Rams (2-8) on Sunday. Instead, Hasselbeck asked into Friday's practice and was in the middle of the field running the offense for the first time all week. That pain in his side, which he's had since taking a hit in the ribs during last weekend's win over Chicago? That didn't happen, either. "I was Tylenol-free today, so that's good," said a smiling Hasselbeck, who had his third 300-yard game of the season against the Bears and the second-most completions (30) of his career.

Steven Jackson is ready to give the St. Louis Rams' offense another lift. They're hopeful this energy burst lasts longer than one quarter. Jackson returned to full duty in practice on Wednesday after recovering from a bulging disc that knocked him out of the Rams' last game before their bye week. Jackson had led the winless Rams to an early 14-0 lead against the Browns, running in the words of teammate Randy McMichael like a "wild beast," before the back locked up. Coach Scott Linehan said that was the Rams' best quarter of the season. "We haven't been in that position all year," Linehan said. "We're always optimistic when he's in the lineup."