Rams Host Niners In St. Louis; Bears Banged Up As Ready For Lions

Sep 26, 2013 7:29 AM

>>49ers Face Rams In NFC West Tussle

(St. Louis, MO) -- A pair of teams looking to get back on track meet up Thursday in an NFC West showdown as the San Francisco 49ers face the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome. The 49ers are coming off a 27-7 home loss to the Colts on Sunday that dropped them to 1-and-2. Colin Kaepernick [[ CAP-er-nick ]] passed for just 150 yards with an interception and a lost fumble. After opening the season with a 34-28 win over Green Bay, the Niners have managed a total of just 10 points in back-to-back losses to Seattle and Indianapolis. The Rams are also riding a two-game losing streak after getting crushed 31-7 at Dallas on Sunday. St. Louis surrendered 193 rushing yards to the Cowboys, with DeMarco Murray accounting for 175 of them. Both meetings last season went to overtime, with the Rams winning one and the other ending in a tie.

>>Tillman Banged Up As Bears Prepare For Megatron, Lions

As if Calvin Johnson didn't pose enough problems for the Bears, Pro Bowl cornerback Charles Tillman is struggling with a groin injury as Chicago prepares for the Lions this weekend.

The star cornerback's health is a concern for a team that's suddenly banged up after staying relatively healthy through the first two games.

Tillman had to leave last week's win at Pittsburgh. Pro Bowl defensive tackle Henry Melton suffered a season-ending knee injury against the Steelers, and the NFC North-leading Bears (3-0) are hobbling a bit heading into Sunday's game at Detroit.

The most immediate concern is Tillman, who did not practice on Wednesday. Coach Marc Trestman said he's day to day.

>>Lions RB Bush Expected To Play Sunday vs Bears

Reggie Bush has moved a big step closer to returning to play for the Detroit Lions.

Bush practiced Wednesday, a few days after missing a game with a banged-up left knee.

He would give the Lions a much-needed boost offensively Sunday against NFC North-leading Chicago because Nate Burleson, their No. 2 receiver, needs surgery after breaking his arm in a car accident.

Bush didn't practice last week until Friday, when the team said he participated on a limited basis. He was inactive for Sunday's win at Washington.

The speedy running back was hurt in a Week 2 loss against the Arizona Cardinals after accounting for 191 yards of offense in his Detroit debut to help the Lions beat the Minnesota Vikings.

>>Cardinals' Okafor Out For Season

(Bradenton, FL) -- Arizona Cardinals linebacker Alex Okafor will miss the remainder of the season with a torn biceps. The rookie revealed his injury via Twitter, saying "Out for the season with a torn bicep. Coming back stronger next year." The Cardinals placed Okafor on injured reserve Wednesday. He's the third linebacker to go on the season-ending list this week. Sam Acho [[ AH-choh ]] and Lorenzo Alexander were placed on IR Monday. The Cardinals play Sunday at Tampa Bay.

>>Report: NFLPA Looking Into Pryor Concussion Handling

(Oakland, CA) -- Oakland's handling of quarterback Terrelle Pryor's concussion this past Monday night is being looked into by the NFL Players Association. In an article by ESPN, a source was quoted as saying the procedure was "questionable." Pryor stayed in the game for two plays after being hit by linebacker Wesley Woodyard. The quarterback doesn't think the team did anything wrong. Pryor's status for Week Four against the Redskins isn't yet known.