Bradford has surgery performed on left knee

~ The Rams anticipate their No. 1 QB being ready for next year's season opener

ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford has undergone season-ending knee surgery, which was postponed earlier this month due to swelling.

Coach Jeff Fisher said Tuesday that Dr. James Andrews did the operation to repair a torn left ACL a day earlier in Pensacola, Fla. Andrews also operated on the quarterback's shoulder at Oklahoma.

Fisher said trainer Reggie Scott, who accompanied Bradford, told him the procedure went well.

"He said everything went very, very well," Fisher said. "It's a very, very healthy knee considering the circumstances, and so they were pleased."

Bradford injured his knee during the Rams' 30-15 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 20. When the operation was pushed back, Fisher said the Rams anticipated Bradford would be ready for next season's opener. Bradford was the first overall pick of the 2010 draft.

The Rams (4-6) returned from their bye with a light workout Tuesday, feeling energized.

"It helps 1,000 percent," defensive tackle Michael Brockers said. "I think that's what the bye week is for, so your body can rest. You're starting to feel those bumps and bruises, and all the joints and stuff get to heal.

"I feel great."

Fisher and his staff got some time off, too. Earlier Tuesday, he told players it was time to go back to work.

"I just kind of reminded them this morning that I'm sure everybody had a good time, but those that are out of the NFL, that's what they do every weekend," Fisher said.

Fisher shed some light on an injury that sidelined backup quarterback Brady Quinn not long after he signed with the Rams in late October, saying the issue was with the lower back. It had been listed as a hip injury.

The Rams signed Quinn and Austin Davis to back up Kellen Clemens after Bradford was sidelined in a loss at Carolina in Week 7, but Quinn only lasted a few practices.

"Brady had some issues with his low back in the weight room," Fisher said. "It was just kind of a very freak thing, and we're trying to get him back as quick as we can."

Clemens makes his fourth start this week against the Bears.

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