Rams' Marc Bulger Played With Broken Ribs, Bruised Knee

Rams quarterback Marc Bulger had a lousy game in Sunday's 24-3 loss to the Buccaneers, but he has a pretty good excuse: Rams coach Scott Linehan disclosed Monday that Bulger has two broken ribs and a badly bruised knee.

"He was limited going into the game," Linehan said. "He has a couple of broken ribs, but he played with it. We're not going to say that's the reason he didn't have his best game of his career or anything like that. He will be much better this week; he got out of this game pretty healthy."

The Rams need Bulger to be better this week, especially without Steven Jackson. But overall, is there any way Bulger can get through this season healthy? He's already lost his best pass blocker, left tackle Orlando Pace. Although Alex Barron has performed well in Pace's absence, the decision to move Barron from left tackle to right had a ripple effect on the rest of the Rams' line.

For the Rams, it's hard not to think that this is a lost season. Sept. 25 is too early to start looking ahead toward next year, but does anyone really think they can be contenders this year?