Rams 'bye' time for injured stars with open date

~ St. Louis should return at least three of its banged up stars when it plays its next game against Seattle.

ST. LOUIS -- At least three of the St. Louis Rams' four sidelined stars are expected to return to the lineup after the bye week. The exception could be wide receiver Isaac Bruce, who already has missed five games with turf toe.

"Isaac, when he can play he will play," interim coach Joe Vitt said Monday. "Believe me, this is doing nothing but making him stronger."

After missing two starts with a sprained shoulder, quarterback Marc Bulger said he'd be back without a doubt for the Nov. 13 game at Seattle. Bulger, injured against the Colts on Oct. 17, had a cortisone injection two weeks ago and notes it'll be nearly a month since he was hurt when he got hit after an interception.

Bulger threw three days last week, but regressed some later in the week due to soreness and took the weekend off.

"I'm not going to do too much this week, but I'll be back," Bulger said. "I'm 100 percent sure. If I can't get ready, then I shouldn't be playing football."

Wide receiver Torry Holt (strained knee ligament) stopped short of a guarantee, but was optimistic after testing his injury with some running drills.

Rams players have the next two days off, but Holt said he'd be at Rams Park getting treatment and catching passes from Bulger.

"I'm shooting for the Seattle game," Holt said. "I'm going to be here throughout the bye week, get some work and get some rehab, and hopefully I'll come back next Monday ready to roll."

Defensive end Leonard Little, who has missed two games while grieving the shooting death of a younger brother, also is expected to return. He had not checked in at Rams Park on Monday, however.

In general, Vitt said this was a good time for a break. The Rams (4-4) have won their last two games without those four players, and also were without cornerback Travis Fisher (groin) and offensive guard Claude Terrell (neck) for Sunday's 24-21 victory over the Jaguars.

"Guys are on the roster for a reason," safety Mike Furrey said. "Because they can play. We've had a lot of guys step up the last few weeks."

Martin, a 36-year-old journeyman, earned his first two career wins as a starter while Bulger was out. He has only five career starts, so receding to the background won't be too difficult.

"I'm going to enjoy my experience the last couple of weeks, take a week off and see what happens," Martin said. "I can't complain. We got two wins so that's the most important thing; it doesn't matter what I did out there."

Kevin Curtis, normally the third wide receiver, had a career-best 83-yard touchdown reception and caught three passes for 105 yards Sunday. The other replacement wide receiver, Shaun McDonald, had two catches for 41 yards.