Offensive guard Nutten placed on IR

ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis Rams offensive guard Tom Nutten, who nearly retired last year due to injuries, is hurt again.

Nutten, who started six games this season, was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday with a neck injury that's gotten progressively worse in recent weeks. Rookie Claude Terrell has started three of the last four games.

Team doctors told Nutten he has a slightly herniated disc that should heal in six to eight weeks, mainly with rest. Nutten said surgery has been ruled out for now.

"The doctors are very positive and have said the whole time that it's not anything dangerous, that it's not near the spinal cord or anything," Nutten said. "It shouldn't be a problem with just rest and no contact.

"The biggest thing is to get rid of this pain and the problem, however long it might take, and who knows how I feel come May or so."

The Rams also have signed Larry Turner, a center-guard drafted by the team in 2004 but released this preseason.

-- AP