The Associated Press

LAKE FOREST, Ill. - Quarterback Chris Chandler will start for the Chicago Bears against New England on Sunday so Jim Miller can rest his sore elbow and shoulder.

Chandler started in consecutive losses to Detroit and Minnesota in October, completing 31 of 50 passes for 339 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Miller returned last week and planned to play this week until his elbow swelled Thursday night after practice. On Friday morning, coaches informed Chandler he will start for the Bears, who have lost six straight games.

"Yesterday I was doing the scout team," Chandler said. "It's like you never know quite for sure what's going to happen.

"I'm excited about playing again."

The Bears have said Miller's arm will get better only with rest, but the ninth-year veteran is unwilling to take a cortisone shot because it would mean sitting out at least four or five weeks.

Miller, who has tendinitis in his elbow and shoulder, will be Chandler's backup in Sunday's game. His status will be evaluated weekly.

VIKINGS: Cornerback Tyrone Carter was fined $5,000 for unnecessary roughness. An NFL spokesman said Carter was penalized for dragging Tampa Bay running back Aaron Stecker out of bounds and then tackling him in the second quarter of Minnesota's loss Sunday.

PATRIOTS: Defensive end Willie McGinest has been fined $7,500 by the NFL for roughing up former teammate Drew Bledsoe during a sack in the second quarter of New England's 38-7 victory over Buffalo Sunday. McGinest picked up Bledsoe, threw him to the ground and fell on top of him, NFL spokesman Steve Alic said.

McGinest's agent, Gary Uberstine, did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

REDSKINS: Running back Stephen Davis will miss his second consecutive game because of a sprained knee when Washington plays Jacksonville Sunday. Kenny Watson, who ran for 110 yards filling in for Davis last week, will make his second NFL start.

DOLPHINS: Quarterback Ray Lucas, recovering quickly from a bruised throwing shoulder, took his regular snaps in practice and is expected to start against the New York Jets Sunday night.

"Ray was very sharp," coach Dave Wannstedt said. "It was probably as sharp as we've thrown the ball in weeks."

Lucas will start his third straight game in place of Jay Fiedler, who is expected to miss at least two more games because of a broken right thumb.

Left tackle Mark Dixon is expected to return to the starting lineup after missing four games because of a sprained ankle. Receiver Cris Carter, slowed by a stomach virus, is listed on the injury report as probable.

RAMS: Kurt Warner's second day throwing the football went much better than the first.

The St. Louis Rams' quarterback, limited to 10- to 15-yard tosses Thursday, stretched his arm on 30-yard throws as he continues to recover from a broken pinkie.

Warner, who had four pins removed from the finger Monday and has missed four games, remains certain he'll return for the Nov.18 matchup against Chicago.

"I could really push it today," he said. "I definitely think (I'll return) next week."

Coach Mike Martz agrees Warner has gotten better.

"He had a lot more zip on the ball," Martz said. "There was tremendous improvement from yesterday to today. It kind of surprised him, too, that he had that kind of control."

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