Neck injury may end Williams' year

ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis Rams free safety Aeneas Williams probably will be sidelined for the remainder of the season with a neck injury.

Williams, an eight-time Pro Bowl player, met with team doctors Wednesday about an arthritic condition. Coach Mike Martz expects Williams to decide his future soon regarding an injury that could be career-threatening.

"I told him to take the night, and I gave him two alternatives," Martz said. "Aeneas is probably done for a while."

Earlier in the week, the Rams were contemplating signing rookie safety Jason Shivers off their practice squad because of the injury. But Shivers, a fifth-round pick, was claimed by the Chicago Bears before the Rams could make the move.

Williams, 36, was limited to a few series in Sunday's 20-7 loss to the Carolina Panthers and has played sparingly in recent weeks.

Williams has 55 career interceptions, tied for 15th place on the career list with Hall of Famer Lem Barney and Pat Fischer, and needs two picks to move into the top 10. He has returned nine interceptions for touchdowns, tied for second on the career list.

But he has no interceptions this season.

Williams made six Pro Bowls as a cornerback with the Arizona Cardinals and one more with the Rams. He moved to safety in 2003 after a broken leg and torn ankle ligaments midway through the 2002 season, and made his eighth Pro Bowl.

In 2001, his first year with the Rams, Williams was chosen as a defensive captain and helped the Rams go to the Super Bowl.