Unbeaten Bulger has doctor's OK to play

ST. LOUIS -- Marc Bulger received medical clearance to play Tuesday as the Rams' quarterback carousel turned again.

Bulger, who has been at quarterback for all five Rams victories this season, has been out since Nov. 18 with a sprained ligament between his index and third finger. He's made progress the last several days and will replace Jamie Martin, who was ineffective in Sunday's 49-10 loss at Kansas City, for this week's game against the Cardinals.

Bulger has a 106.0 passer rating, which would lead the NFL by a wide margin if he had enough attempts to qualify. He has 12 touchdown passes and four interceptions and played well in the first game against the Cardinals.

In a 27-14 victory Nov. 3 in Phoenix, Bulger was 20-for-29 for 245 yards with two touchdown passes and two interceptions.

Martin lost a fumble that was returned for a touchdown and threw two interceptions in his third career start. Coach Mike Martz indicated some of Martin's problems were due to inactivity.

"Jamie can play and play well," Martz said. "Jamie just needs to play some."

Martz said Bulger showed better awareness in the pocket than Martin during his earlier stint as the starter. Kurt Warner and Martin were sacked a total of 14 times the last two games.

"Marc was very good about moving around and throwing the ball away, instead of taking sacks," Martz said. "Marc will not hold the ball -- all those things Kurt had done so well early in his career."

Bulger began the year as the third-stringer but got his first chance to play when Martin bruised a knee in Week 5 against the 49ers. Warner also is out with a hairline fracture of his right hand.

Martz was encouraged Monday by Bulger's pregame workout in Kansas City on Sunday. With the index and third finger wrapped together, he was able to throw tight spirals.