Rams' Bulger back at practice, expects to start at Cincinnati

ST. LOUIS -- Rams quarterback Marc Bulger was back in practice Wednesday after sitting out last week's game with a concussion.

Bulger was injured in the first quarter of a 24-19 loss to the Seahawks on Nov. 25. He passed a neuropsych exam Tuesday -- after failing it last week -- and was cleared to practice.

Bulger is expected to start Sunday when the Rams (3-9) travel to Cincinnati to play the Bengals (4-8).

"I got through practice today," Bulger said. "I was a little tired, but I don't know if that was from being off for 10 days. I guess we'll just keep things monitored throughout the week and see how things go."

Coach Scott Linehan said he thought Bulger finished practice in good shape.

"I thought he was good. I didn't see any change," Linehan said. "You know, he didn't do anything last week so it was probably just getting back out there. We will evaluate it and see how he feels and go again tomorrow and see how he feels tomorrow."

The team's medical staff checks Bulger each day, Linehan said. Bulger also consults with his own doctors about his condition.

"I just want to make it clear that it's a first step," Bulger said. "When you take a baseline test, it's not, 'You take this test then you're cleared to play.' It's one thing to take a test and be cleared for practice; it's another to be cleared to play in an NFL game."

That's because quarterbacks tend to get smacked around.

"If you're in the NFL, I don't care if you're Tom Brady or Peyton Manning, you're going to get hit, simple as that," Bulger said. "Weighing on the decision will be the fact that I will get hit. No one's going to go through a perfect game without getting hit."

Linehan says he doesn't have a problem with Bulger seeking additional medical opinions.

"I think it is smart. I think you have to do that," Linehan said. "Again, if he was not cleared or if there was any hesitation by the doctors or himself of being available to play, then we won't play him."

Bulger said the final say will be left to medical professionals.