Green is in, Bulger out as the Rams' QB

Marc Bulger is out as the St. Louis Rams' starting quarterback after throwing only two touchdown passes in three games and will be replaced by 38-year-old Trent Green for Sunday's game against Buffalo.

The benching of the Rams' highest-paid player, announced by coach Scott Linehan in a terse, two-paragraph release yesterday, signals just how desperate times have become for the sagging franchise. Linehan is 11-24 in his third season, including 0-3 this year with none of the games competitive.

Last week, Linehan was told by new owner Chip Rosenbloom that improvements need to be made or that changes would be forthcoming. This is Linehan's first head coaching job at any level, earned off success as an offensive coordinator with the Dolphins and Vikings. He was a quarterback in college at Idaho.

The team said in the release that Linehan would not comment on his decision until after practice today. The Rams were off yesterday.

Favre's ankle OK

Jets quarterback Brett Favre rolled his left ankle during the third quarter of New York's 48-29 loss at San Diego Monday night, but coach Eric Mangini wasn't overly concerned about Favre's injury.

"Brett usually plays," Mangini said, "and I would anticipate the same."

Favre was limping after the injury and in the locker room after the game. He has started an NFL-record 256 straight regular-season games, and is expected to start Sunday at home vs. Arizona.

Mangini said Favre received some treatment on the ankle when the team arrived home early yesterday morning and was scheduled for more later in the evening.

The nature of the injury wasn't immediately known, but Favre said after the game that X-rays came out OK - meaning there was no break.

Philip Rivers threw three touchdown passes, LaDainian Tomlinson scored his first two TDs of the season, and San Diego sacked Favre four times and intercepted him twice, including a 52-yard return for a score by All-Pro cornerback Antonio Cromartie, in the romp.

Steelers' Parker out

The Pittsburgh Steelers' main injury worry following their 15-6 loss Sunday in Philadelphia was the punishment quarterback Ben Roethlisberger took while being sacked eight times. He played with a slight shoulder separation, and a right hand injury sidelined him late in the fourth quarter. When coach Mike Tomlin revealed his updated injury list yesterday, Roethlisberger wasn't on it, but running back Willie Parker unexpectedly was - the Pro Bowler has a sprained left knee that will keep him out of Monday night's home game against Baltimore. Four-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Casey Hampton (groin sprain) also won't play Monday night, and defensive end Brett Keisel (calf) will miss a second successive game. Chris Hoke, who made 10 starts in 2004, replaces Hampton. With Parker out, first-round draft pick Rashard Mendenhall will make his first NFL start . . . San Francisco 49ers cornerback Shawntae Spencer will miss the rest of the season with a torn ligament in his left knee. Spencer, a fifth-year pro, will be placed on injured reserve after undergoing surgery today. He injured his knee late in the 49ers' victory at Seattle Sept. 14, and missed last week's victory over Detroit.

Broncos' Nalen on IR

Center Tom Nalen, the last link to the Denver Broncos' Super Bowl titles of the late 1990s, was placed on IR. The 37-year-old underwent two surgeries on his left knee this summer and missed the team's first three games. The Broncos had left him on the roster hoping for a quick return. The 15-year veteran, whose 2007 season was cut short by a torn right biceps after five games, missed most of training camp before deciding on another operation . . . New Orleans Saints guard Jamar Nesbit has been suspended without pay for the next four games for violating the NFL's policy on anabolic steroids and related substances. Nesbit's suspension begins immediately. He is eligible to return to the active roster Oct. 20, the day after the Saints' game against the Carolina Panthers.

Patriots sign WR Price

The Patriots agreed to terms on a two-year contract with free agent receiver Maurice Price, filling the 53d spot on their roster, according to a league source.

Price, a second-year player out of Charleston Southern, was waived by the Kansas City Chiefs late last week. He had visited with the Seahawks and Ravens before working out for the Patriots today.

At 6 feet 1 inch, 200 pounds, Price adds some more size and speed to a receiving corps that includes Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Jabar Gaffney, Sam Aiken, Kelley Washington, and Ray Ventrone. Washington missed Sunday's loss to the Dolphins with an ankle injury.

Price, who has not appeared in an NFL game, also has some experience on special teams.

MIKE REISS

Huard for Chiefs?

Chiefs coach Herm Edwards said he's leaning toward starting veteran quarterback Damon Huard against Denver Sunday. Huard came into Kansas City's opener against New England after starter Brodie Croyle was hurt and almost led the Chiefs to an upset in a 17-10 loss to the Patriots. Huard started against Oakland in Kansas City's second game before being pulled early for second-year pro Tyler Thigpen in a 23-8 loss. Thigpen started the next week against Atlanta and threw three interceptions in a 38-14 loss . . . The Houston Texans plan to play their home opener at hurricane-damaged Reliant Stadium Oct. 5 vs. the Colts. "I can't say with absolute certainty," Texans owner Bob McNair said. "But let's put it this way, I'd be shocked if we did not play there." The stadium's retractable roof lost five pieces in the storm and officials said large pieces of debris had fallen into the stadium during Hurricane Ike. The roof probably won't be fixed in time for the game against Indianapolis, but McNair said games could be played with the roof open . . . Former Minnesota Vikings linebacker Wally Hilgenberg died yesterday after a battle with Lou Gehrig's disease. He was 66. Friend and former Vikings tight end Stu Voigt said Hilgenberg died peacefully, surrounded by his family at his Lakeville, Minn., home. Obituary, D11.