The St. Louis Rams will most likely be without quarterback Sam Bradford for the fifth time this season. Bradford missed Thursday's practice, and the Rams have him listed as doubtful to play this week against the Pittsburgh Steelers. As for whether or not Bradford returns this season, that remains to be seen.

Bradford has not seen a football field since that disastrous Monday night affair in Seattle in Week 14. He missed the game prior to that, only testing his ankle as a limited participant in practice on the Friday before that game. The Rams probably erred him letting him start that night, but that is what the guy gets paid, paid handsomely, to do. Needless to say, Bradford is angling to play before the season ends.

If he were to return in Week 17, at home against the 49ers, he would need to practice. So far, the team has given no indication that he'll be able to anytime soon.

A.J. Feeley did not practice today either. He is definitely out this week, and Kellen Clemens will start. Justin King did not practice, but he plans to play this week.

Finally, since we're on the subject of injuries, Bernie Miklasz penned a most excellent column in the Post Dispatch today about excuse making for the current regime at Rams Park. I highly suggest you give it a read, if you haven't already. Naturally, he reiterates the case we've been making that injuries are not an excuse for a 2-12 record.