Injuries hamper Rams' secondary

ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis Rams cornerback Ron Bartell and safety O.J. Atogwe did not practice Wednesday while nursing shoulder injuries. Two other members of the secondary, cornerback Justin King and safety Craig Dahl, were limited with shoulder and knee woes.

Bartell sustained a stinger in the first half Sunday at Arizona and was uncertain Wednesday whether he'd be able to play this weekend at New Orleans.

Bartell, the Rams' top coverage cornerback, said his injury probably would be a factor the rest of the season but felt better.

"It's one of those things, if you take a hit the wrong way or tackle somebody the wrong way, it's something that just may happen," Bartell said. "It's not something I'm going to concern myself with. If I'm able to get my strength back, I'll be out there on Sunday."

Atogwe said his shoulder was a little sore but he would be ready for the Saints. Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said King aggravated an earlier injury.

Atogwe is second on the team with 69 tackles with two interceptions and has been a big factor on the blitz with two sacks and five quarterback hits.

Another cornerback, rookie Jerome Murphy, was limited with a hamstring injury. Murphy did not play last week.