After his unexpected fourth-quarter appearance Sunday against Minnesota, Marc Bulger was asked whether he anticipated a competition this week with fellow Rams quarterback Kyle Boller.

"As far as ... ?" Bulger inquired.

The issue was who might start this Sunday at Jacksonville. But Bulger didn't have any doubt that, if healthy, he would be coach Steve Spagnuolo's choice.

"He said it in the spring, and I took him at his word. I didn't think there ever was a controversy," Bulger said Wednesday. "We all trust Spags. When he says something, he means it. That's what we respect the most about him."

Months ago, Spagnuolo declared that Bulger was his man at quarterback. The bruised rotator cuff in Bulger's right shoulder that thrust Boller into the starting lineup the past two Sundays didn't change that.

"Marc's the quarterback," Spagnuolo said firmly Monday.

Bulger took all the reps with the first team Wednesday during the team's first practice since the 38-10 loss to the Vikings. Boller, who suffered a mild concussion early in the fourth quarter, forcing Bulger into the action, ran the scout team after passing a neurological exam.

Said Bulger, "I came in Monday and didn't have any side effects, which was good. I felt good today throwing the ball. We'll keep monitoring, but I think I'm on schedule."

The velocity on his throws is getting better, Bulger said. "In practice today, it was enough that I could function in the game. Just keep doing my exercises to strengthen it, and we're right on course."

The Rams trailed 24-3 when defensive end Ray Edwards drilled Boller, ending his day. Bulger connected on all seven of his passes, including five in a six-play, 80-yard drive that culminated with his 27-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Donnie Avery.

That performance, against Minnesota's reserves, should be kept in perspective, Bulger insisted.

"Every week's different," he said. "We were getting beat so bad, I'm not going to hang my hat on that and say that we're going to come out and do the same thing. Last week doesn't impact this week; next week won't impact the following week. What's done is done.

"Obviously, it was nice to get a drive, but it's not going to help this week."

What might help is the improving play of the offensive line; the Rams rolled up a season-high 400 yards vs. the Vikings. "I think them playing together week in and week out is really helping; that's important," Bulger said. "We're getting more consistent in moving the ball."

But not in getting into the end zone. For the season, they've produced points on only four of 10 trips into the red zone (inside the 20), easily the lowest rate in the league.

"It goes without saying what we have to do when we get down there," Bulger said. "But at least we're starting to get the yards. It's a start."

INJURY UPDATE

Rookie Jason Smith, out since Week 2 with a knee injury, was only slightly limited Wednesday and appears to be close to full participation. Still, Adam Goldberg took the bulk of the snaps with the first team at right tackle.

Safeties James Butler (knee) and Anthony Smith (Achilles tendon), and cornerback Justin King (knee) also were limited. Wide receiver Ruvell Martin (hamstring) didn't practice.

Defensive tackle Gary Gibson, who suffered a season-ending broken ankle Sunday, had surgery Tuesday, Spagnuolo reported.

RAM-BLINGS

LaJuan Ramsey got most of the work with the starters in Gibson's former spot. ... This week's captains are center Jason Brown (offense), cornerback Ron Bartell (defense) and long-snapper Chris Massey (special teams).