Rams are getting healthier at QB

~ Boller has gotten over the flu and may get the start Sunday

ST. LOUIS -- Three days in bed with flu-like symptoms did wonders for Kyle Boller's thigh injury. Now he's just got to shake off the rust.

Boller returned to practice with St. Louis Rams on Wednesday, and the team plans to ease him back into the mix. He's missed the last two games, the first due to a bruised left thigh, and again last week due to an illness he said was not swine flu.

"That sickness helped my thigh recover because I didn't really have to practice," Boller said. "I feel a lot better, night and day from this week and last week, so that's a good sign.

"That was a full week of nothing on it."

Rookie Keith Null took the vast majority of the snaps with the first string, and coach Steve Spagnuolo said he hasn't decided who'll get the start this week at Arizona. Spagnuolo hinted the decision might not be made for a few more days.

He liked the way Boller was moving, though.

"It's been a while since he's been out there, so he needs a couple of days to kind of get back in shape," Spagnuolo said. "Kyle kind of needs to get back in the swing."

Null started for the second straight week Sunday and was much improved from his NFL debut, reducing his interception count from five to one in a 16-13 loss to the Houston Texans. He's taking advantage of the practice time to refine his still-raw game.

"I think it's the same things I was working on last week," Null said. "We haven't heard anything yet, so we're both just preparing."

Boller's had enough of playing the mentor role for a young quarterback, even if the Rams (1-13) are limping to the finish and are front-runners for the No. 1 overall pick.

He wants to play.

"Oh, you'd better believe it," he said. "That's the tough part about this business, anytime you get off the field it allows a chance for somebody else to step in there.

"I really hope I can play this week, I'm hoping I get to go."

Actually, Boller said he could have played in an emergency Sunday against the Texans.

"I probably would have needed to get some oxygen on the sideline," he said. "That was the hardest part warming up, just loss of breath."

Running back Steven Jackson did not practice, once again managing a lower back injury so he'll be able to play Sunday. He was restricted to riding a stationary bicycle.

Defensive end Leonard Little (infected right knee) also did not practice, and cornerback Quincy Butler (left knee sprain, high ankle sprain) was in a walking boot, while cornerback Ron Bartell (hip) was limited.

Guard John Greco was able to practice with a cast on an injured thumb.

Practice was shorter than usual to help a team ravaged by injuries all year and by illness last week to make it to game day. The Rams have 12 players on injured reserve plus three others -- quarterback Marc Bulger (fractured shin bone), offensive tackle Jason Smith (concussion) and Butler -- who might as well be on IR.

"Really, the goal this week is to be as fresh and as ready as we can," Spagnuolo said. "Last week we fought through a tough week, guys had low energy, so we did kind of try to make it a focus, cut some things back and get them mentally and physically fresh."