Kurt Warner returns to practice

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- St. Louis Rams quarterback Kurt Warner returned to the practice field Friday, a day after missing most of the workouts with cramps in his sore rib cage.

Warner, the NFL's MVP, warmed up without apparent difficulty and zipped his first pass of the practice to Jeff Robinson, then continued showing no visible signs of trouble with his throwing and handoffs.

Warner was injured in the fourth quarter of last Sunday's 45-17 victory over Green Bay that propelled the Rams into Sunday's NFC championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

On Thursday, Warner was treated for bruised ribs with electrical stimulation before practice, though coach Mike Martz said the stimulation might have backfired, causing the cramps that forced Warner to miss much of that day's workouts.

Backup Jamie Martin took almost all of the snaps in practice Thursday. Martin threw only three passes in the regular season, but Martz said he would have confidence in him if Warner -- who passed for 4,830 yards, second-most in league history -- could not play.

The ribs injury is the latest minor setback for Warner, who in recent weeks has overcome bruised vocal cords suffered in the regular-season finale against Atlanta.

Martz has said he didn't think that missing practice time would affect Warner on game day. Teammates agreed, noting that Warner was up to speed against the Packers after missing a practice due to stomach flu.