Faulk's knee gets closer look; condition is OK

MACOMB, Ill. -- The Rams returned to practice Monday following their preseason loss to the Oakland Raiders without running back Marshall Faulk.

Faulk had one of his knees knee examined in Los Angeles. Faulk bumped his knee eight to ten days ago and wanted to have it examined as a precaution, said coach Mike Martz. "It checked out fine, and he is expected to return to the team tonight or tomorrow," Martz said.

Faulk did not play in the Rams' 7-6 loss to the Raiders.

Little sits out practice after taking shot to ankle

Defensive end Leonard Little did not practice Monday because of an ankle injury suffered against the Raiders, on what some considered a cheap shot by Oakland guard Frank Middleton.

"It could or could not be considered cheap," Little said, "but in the preseason it's uncalled for. Yes, I think it was kind of dirty."

Little is expected to play against Tampa Bay next Monday. He said he was sore and held out as a precaution.

Noteworthy

Fullback J.R. Niklos may still be a week away from returning from a concussion suffered Aug. 5. "They don't know when the bruise will heal," Niklos said. He's still recovering.

He said it's tough to do mental reps with new plays being implemented. "I have to keep my brain stimulated because it's bad to sleep all the time," he said. "That's all I want to do."

He talked about taking a test where he was asked to name as many words as quickly as possible that begin with the letter "S."

"My mind just went blank," he said. "I could only think of three. Last time, I was able to list 20."

The Rams have three practices left before they break camp after Wednesday morning's practice and return to St. Louis.

"This was a very exciting day for me," Martz said after Monday's afternoon practice. "You can sense the urgency out there as players raise everything up a level."

Rookie defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy left morning practice early with stomach flu.