Rams to give Covington the start in finale

ST. LOUIS -- Scott Covington will be the Rams' fourth starting quarterback of the season, making his first career start in Monday night's finale against the San Francisco 49ers.

Covington, the third-stringer before Marc Bulger injured his back last week, will start in place of Jamie Martin. Martin hasn't practiced all week because of a bruised left knee and again was out for Saturday night's practice, although coach Mike Martz said he would be available in the game.

Marshall Faulk will be the team's third quarterback and has been taking snaps in practice. Martz said Faulk, who has been bothered by a high ankle sprain for almost two months, will start at running back.

Martz said Covington deserved to start after taking all the repetitions with the No. 1 offense the last three days.

"He had a terrific week of practice and I'm excited about seeing him," Martz said. "He has the skills to be an outstanding player."

Covington has expressed confidence in his ability all week, and that didn't change after Martz' announcement.

"I'm not going to play tentative, I'm not going to hold back," Covington said. "I'm just going to go out there and let it rip."

Bulger, Kurt Warner and Martin all have started for the Rams this year. Bulger, who is 6-1 as the starter, is out for the finale with three compression fractures in his back sustained in the first quarter of last week's loss at Seattle. Warner is on injured reserve with his second broken hand of the season.

Martin has struggled in two starts and all but a few plays of two other games, producing 43 total points. He threw three interceptions in the 30-10 loss to the Seahawks.

Covington has been impressive in practice, displaying a quick release and strong arm. Martz said he has also picked up the playbook a lot better than expected.

"Obviously, we have to see how he reacts in game situations," Martz said. "He'll make some mistakes. I'm not building him up to be Tarzan or Superman, but he'll make some big plays."

Martz also said offensive tackle Orlando Pace, who missed the last three games with a pulled hamstring, will start. The return of Pace ends a line shuffle that had guard Adam Timmerman moving to right tackle and right tackle John St. Clair moving to Pace's spot on the left side.