The Associated Press

ST. LOUIS - Kurt Warner's two MVP awards were of no use to him Monday: Marc Bulger was named starting quarterback of the Rams.

St. Louis coach Mike Martz made his choice a day after Bulger's strong play in the second half of the Rams' 27-24 overtime victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

Martz emphasized his decision wasn't necessarily for the long term.

"Marc Bulger will be our quarterback this week," Martz said. "Where that goes, who knows? How long that is, let's not worry about it."

Martz's decision apparently had nothing to do with Warner's health.

Warner sustained a concussion in the first half of the opening 23-13 loss to the Giants, but has not missed any practice and ran the scout team last week.

Bulger lost two fumbles in the first half Sunday, but was 15-for-17 for 155 yards the rest of the way.

"Had he not gotten better every quarter, I'm not sure I'm standing here and saying this is our decision," Martz said. "But he did. The fourth quarter I thought was exceptional, so we're going to pick it up from there and see where it goes."

Bulger, who finished 25-for-36 for 236 yards and two touchdowns, is 7-1 as the starter for the Rams the last two seasons. Warner is 0-7 in that same span and had six fumbles in the opener.

JAGUARS: Linebacker Keith Mitchell was released from the hospital Monday, one day after being taken from the field on a stretcher with a neck injury.

Mitchell's status for the rest of the season will be determined later. Punt returner Jermaine Lewis was lost for the year with a torn ligament in his left knee.

TEXANS: Nose tackle Seth Payne will miss the rest of the season after tearing a ligament in his left knee in a loss to New Orleans.

JETS: Cornerback Donnie Abraham underwent tests Monday on his injured right shoulder and his status is uncertain for this weekend's game against New England.

BRONCOS: Quarterback Jake Plummer and running back Clinton Portis are expected to practice this week after missing the second half against San Diego.

Plummer's right shoulder was still sore but tests Monday showed no ligament damage from a slight separation, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said.

Portis was hit late in the first half and suffered a chest injury. Portis said he had a hard time breathing after the hit, but X-rays Sunday night were negative.

• The NFL is investigating whether Shanahan broke a rule when he lied about Plummer's injury in a victory Sunday.

The Broncos initially said Plummer sustained a concussion in the second quarter of Sunday's 37-13 win over the Chargers. After the game, Shanahan announced his quarterback had a separated right shoulder.

He said he lied because the Chargers would have had an advantage if backup Steve Beuerlein got hurt and Plummer had to re-enter the game. Denver carries just two quarterbacks.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league expects injury information to be as accurate as possible.

Rules for reporting in-game injuries aren't as specific as pregame injuries, which require a designation - out, doubtful, questionable and probable.

Shanahan could be fined if the league determines a rule was broken.

PANTHERS: Defensive end Kavika Pittman will miss the rest of the season with a torn anterior cruciate and medial collateral knee ligaments, an injury the Panthers contend stemmed from a chop-block by Tampa Bay's Keenan McCardell.

BUCS: Receiver Joe Jurevicius tore a ligament in his right knee during a loss to the Carolina Panthers and will be sidelined four-to-six weeks.

EAGLES: Defensive tackle Paul Grasmanis will have surgery Wednesday for his torn left Achilles' tendon and most likely is out for the season.

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