Bradford practices, status still uncertain for Monday's Rams game

~ Kellen Clemens is preparing to start at QB if he's needed

ST. LOUIS -- Quarterback Sam Bradford was back on the practice field Saturday for the St. Louis Rams in preparation for their game against the Seahawks on Monday in Seattle.

Bradford, who has been hampered by a high left ankle sprain, did not practice this week and missed last week's game at San Francisco. He sustained the ankle injury Oct. 16 at Green Bay and missed two games.

Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said he's not ready to name him the starter.

"The test here, you know, when I talk with [trainer] Reggie [Scott] is see how it feels tomorrow," Spagnuolo said. "Now we are treading lightly and going safe. I will tell you this, if you could have seen the look on his eye when I told him he wasn't going to play last week, you know, that's hard to do.

"You know him. We'll see and be smart about it."

Bradford took less than half of the practice snaps, splitting time with Kellen Clemens, who was signed Thursday after he was cut by Houston on Wednesday.

Clemens and No. 3 quarterback Tom Brandstater, who did not take any reps with the first team Saturday, split duties Friday. Brandstater, who is in his second year out of Fresno State, has not played in an NFL game.

No. 2 quarterback A.J. Feeley is out with a fractured right thumb, which he hurt against San Francisco.

In a conference call earlier this week, Seattle coach Pete Carroll said he expects to see Bradford.

"We're kind of counting on Sam getting back in there," Carroll said. "And figuring that by resting him and not having him go last week, he'll probably be able to play."

Spagnuolo said he is confident in using Clemens in case Bradford can't go.

Clemens caught Spagnuolo's eye with his practice performance.

"I am thoroughly impressed with the command in the huddle and spitting out the verbiage and just some little things I saw in there," Spagnuolo said. "He did a nice job with it."

Knowing the system helps, Clemens said. He had to imitate the New England Patriots system twice each season for five seasons when he was with the Jets and working with the scout team.

Rams offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels worked him out before the 2006 draft when McDaniels was offensive coordinator for the Patriots.

"He's played in games and he's had to handle systems and defenses and had to add some tough challenges in his career, too," McDaniels said. "So he's a guy that battles."

The Jets selected him in the second round. He played behind Chad Pennington, Brett Favre and Mark Sanchez during his time there. Clemens started eight games and threw for 1,529 yards and five touchdowns with 10 inceptions when Pennington was hurt in 2007.

He joined Washington in training camp last summer but was released. He was signed by the Texans on Nov. 23 after starting quarterback Matt Schaub was placed on injured reserve, but he was released this week before getting a call from the Rams.

Clemens has thrown for 1,686 yards and five touchdowns with 11 interceptions during his NFL career.

"It's been a whirlwind so far," Clemens said. "It's just a matter of I was speaking Spanish last week and now I'm speaking German trying to get this offense down. It's a matter of making sure I can call the play in the huddle the correct way, get the guys up to the line of scrimmage and give us an opportunity."

Clemens said he will be ready to go if called upon against the Seahawks.

"Two practices, I don't think we have to throw the panic flag completely," Clemens said. "There's some newness having me in there, but it'll be doable. I'm not going to guarantee anything."