The Associated Press

ST. LOUIS - His quick recovery has left St. Louis quarterback Kurt Warner wondering if he really had a concussion.

"I took a shot one way or the other that caused some of the symptoms," he said Friday. "But I've had some doctors say that concussions are a relative term and others have said this may not even classify as a concussion."

On Thursday, the Rams downgraded Warner's concussion from moderate to "very mild" due to his rapid recovery.

Warner was officially cleared for backup duty behind Marc Bulger on Friday. Warner has been running the scout team all week but won't start Sunday against San Francisco.

"If we have to use him, we'll use him," Rams coach Mike Martz said. "But I'd just as soon not play him at all."

Next week, Warner hopes to have his job back. But in the meantime, he is fine with being the backup.

"You don't get prideful, you don't say, 'Man, I'm too good for the scout team,' " he said.

PANTHERS: Todd Sauerbrun became the highest-paid punter in NFL history by agreeing to a four-year extension that pays $1.5 million a year. The deal tops that of Tennessee punter Craig Hentrich, which averaged $1.4 million over four years.

49ERS: Starting left guard Eric Heitmann will miss Sunday's game at St. Louis after spraining his ankle during practice. He will be replaced by Dwayne Ledford.

BRONCOS: Defensive tackle Daryl Gardener returned to practice Friday, eight weeks after tearing ligaments in his right wrist in an altercation outside a pancake house. He hopes to play Sept. 22 against Oakland.

REDSKINS: Rookie tight end Kevin Ware was signed off the practice squad for Sunday's game at Atlanta. Starter Zeron Flemister strained an Achilles' tendon in the season opener.

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