National Football League

Bradford's status still up in the air

Published Dec. 10, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Quarterback Sam Bradford was back on the practice field Saturday for the St. Louis Rams in preparing the Rams for their game against the Seahawks on Monday in Seattle.

Bradford, hampered by a high left ankle sprain, did not practice at all this week and missed last week's game at San Francisco. He sustained the ankle injury Oct. 16 at Green Bay and missed two games.

Coach Steve Spagnuolo said he's not ready to name him the starter.

''The test here, you know, when I talk with (trainer) Reggie (Scott) is see how it feels tomorrow,'' Spagnuolo said. ''Now, we are treading lightly and going safe. I will tell you this, if you could have seen the look on his eye when I told him he wasn't going to play last week, you know, that's hard to do.

''You know him. We'll see and be smart about it.''

Bradford took less than half of the practice snaps, splitting time with Kellen Clemens, who was signed Thursday after he was cut Wednesday by Houston.

Clemens split duties Friday with No. 3 quarterback Tom Brandstater, who did not take any reps with the first team Saturday. Brandstater, who is in his second year out of Fresno State, has not played in an NFL game.

No. 2 quarterback A. J. Feeley is out with a fractured right thumb, which he hurt against San Francisco.

In a conference call earlier this week, Seattle coach Pete Carroll said he expects to see Bradford.

''We're kind of counting on Sam getting back in there,'' Carroll said. ''And figuring that by resting him and not having him go last week, he'll probably be able to play.''

In case Bradford can't go, Spagnuolo said he is confident in using Clemens.

Clemens caught Spagnuolo's eye with his practice performance.

''I'll tell you what, I am thoroughly impressed with the command in the huddle and spitting out the verbiage and just some little things I saw in there,'' Spagnuolo said. ''He did a nice job with it.''

Knowing the system helps, Clemens said. When he was with the Jets and working with the scout team for five seasons, he had to imitate the New England Patriots system twice each season.

Rams offensive coordinator McDaniels, who then was the coordinator the Patriots, worked him out before the 2006 draft.

''He's played in games and he's had to handle systems and defenses and had to add some tough challenges in his career, too,'' McDaniels said. ''So he's a guy that battles.''

The Jets selected him in the second round. In his time there, he played behind Chad Pennington, Brett Favre and Mark Sanchez. In 2007 when Pennington was hurt, Clemens started eight games and threw for 1,529 yards and five touchdowns with 10 inceptions.

He joined Washington in training camp last summer but was released. He was signed by the Texans on Nov. 23, after starting quarterback Matt Schaub was placed on injured reserve and was released this week before getting a call from the Rams.

In his NFL career, Clemens has thrown for 1,686 yards and five touchdowns with 11 interceptions.

''It's been a whirlwind so far,'' Clemens said. ''It's just a matter of I was speaking Spanish last week and now I'm speaking German trying to get this offense down. It's a matter of making sure I can call the play in the huddle the correct way, get the guys up to the line of scrimmage and give us an opportunity.''

If called upon against the Seahawks, Clemens said he will be ready to go.

''Two practices, I don't think we have to throw the panic flag completely,'' Clemens said. ''There's some newness having me in there but it'll be doable. I'm not going to guarantee anything.''

NOTES: KR Quinn Porter (abdomen) is out Monday as is Feeley. ... FB Britt Miller (knee) did not practice Saturday. ... DE Chris Long (ankle) and DT Fred Robbins (back) were limited Saturday. ... TE Lance Kendricks did not practice Saturday and was out of town for personal reasons, Spagnuolo said. He will play Monday.