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The St. Louis Rams' list of unrestricted free agents got a little shorter Thursday when longtime punter Donnie Jones reached an agreement with the Houston Texans.

Jones, 31, was generally outstanding for the Rams during five seasons with the team. He was twice a second-team Associated Press All-Pro selection.

Teammate Steven Jackson has called Jones the one Rams player he thought most deserving of the Pro Bowl.

The Rams have yet to re-sign any of their UFAs, no surprise as they break from the past and generally seek to get younger.

The Rams signed punter Tom Malone this offseason. Malone has spent time with New England, Seattle and San Francisco without playing in a regular-season game.

Dave Zastudil, Brad Maynard, Mat McBriar, Matt Turk and Daniel Sepulveda are among the UFA punters without contracts.

The chart lists the Rams' UFAs and their statuses. Brandon Lloyd and Chris Chamberlain were the only ones to sign elsewhere before Jones reached agreement with the Texans.

I'll be surprised if the Rams' new leadership re-signs more than a couple of the players listed. Most are older players. The Rams currently have the youngest roster in the NFL, slightly younger than those for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks.

Michael Robinson's expected re-signing with the Seattle Seahawks would give the team a league-high four re-signings in the unrestricted free-agent market.

Red Bryant, Paul McQuistan and Heath Farwell previously re-signed.

Seattle and the other NFC West teams have added only two UFAs from other teams, however. I've put together UFA scorecards for each team in the division. Ages are in parenthesis. Here goes ...

Seattle Seahawks

UFA unsigned (age): defensive end Raheem Brock (33), defensive lineman Jimmy Wilkerson (31), safety Atari Bigby (30), quarterback Charlie Whitehurst (29), linebacker Leroy Hill (29), linebacker Matt McCoy (29), defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove (28), linebacker David Hawthorne (26), running back Justin Forsett (26), linebacker David Vobora (25)

UFA re-signed: Farwell (30), Robinson (29), McQuistan (28), Bryant (27)

UFA added: none

UFA lost: tight end John Carlson (27)

Franchise player: none

Comment: Forsett has provided value, but the Seahawks will want to add a power back as depth behind Marshawn Lynch, who re-signed before free agency. Mike Tolbert, a free agent from the San Diego Chargers, could be worth a look if the running back market remains soft. Tolbert weighs 243 pounds, has 21 total touchdowns over the past two seasons, and caught 54 passes in 2012. The price would have to be right after Seattle committed to Lynch.

San Francisco 49ers

UFA unsigned: fullback Moran Norris (33), tight end Justin Peelle (33), safety Madieu Williams (30), quarterback Alex Smith (27), receiver Ted Ginn Jr. (26), guard Chilo Rachal (26), safety Reggie Smith (25)

UFA re-signed: cornerback Carlos Rogers (30), linebacker Tavares Gooden (27)

UFA added: none

UFA lost: guard Adam Snyder (30), linebacker Blake Costanzo (27), receiver Josh Morgan (26)

Franchise player: safety Dashon Goldson (27)

Comment: Randy Moss and potential addition Rock Cartwright do not appear in the listings because they were not unrestricted free agents. Re-signing Alex Smith and finding additional receiver help appear to be the top priorities. The 49ers are showing little outward urgency on either front, however.

Arizona Cardinals

UFA unsigned: defensive lineman Vonnie Holliday (36), kicker Jay Feely (35), long-snapper Mike Leach (35), outside linebacker Clark Haggans (35), outside linebacker Joey Porter (34), offensive lineman Floyd Womack (33), punter Dave Zastudil (33), tackle D'Anthony Batiste (29), safety Sean Considine (29), guard Deuce Lutui (28), safety Hamza Abdullah (28), tackle Brandon Keith (27), receiver Early Doucet (26)

UFA re-signed: none.

UFA added: Snyder (30)

UFA lost: cornerback Richard Marshall (27)

Franchise player: defensive end Calais Campbell (25)

Comment: The Cardinals have been in a tough spot. They would have faced criticism had they declined to pursue Peyton Manning. They could now face criticism for sacrificing the first week of free agency while waiting for Manning. The reality is that Arizona probably wasn't going to be all that aggressive in the market this offseason, anyway. It did hurt losing Marshall to the Miami Dolphins after coordinator Ray Horton called him the Cardinals' defensive MVP.

St. Louis Rams

UFA unsigned: cornerback Al Harris (37), quarterback A.J. Feeley (34), offensive lineman Tony Wragge (32), linebacker Brady Poppinga (32), punter Donnie Jones (31), offensive lineman Adam Goldberg (31), guard Jacob Bell (31), receiver Brandon Lloyd (30), cornerback Rod Hood (30), running back Cadillac Williams (29), defensive tackle Gary Gibson (29), receiver Mark Clayton (29), tackle Mark LeVoir (29), tight end Stephen Spach (29), safety James Butler (29), tight end Billy Bajema (29), quarterback Kellen Clemens (28), running back Jerious Norwood (28), linebacker Bryan Kehl (27), linebacker Chris Chamberlain (26), cornerback Justin King (24)

UFA re-signed: none

UFA added: cornerback Cortland Finnegan (28)

UFA lost: none

Franchise player: none

Comment: The Rams are not looking to re-sign many of their own free agents. They want to turn over the roster, and that is happening in a big way. The team's failure to secure playmaking help for quarterback Sam Bradford stands out as the biggest theme to this point. Finnegan was a welcome addition, but he isn't going to score many touchdowns.

The chart below shows a general overview.

» AFC Free-Agency Primer: East | West | North | South » NFC: East | West | North | South

Free agency begins Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET

Arizona Cardinals

Key free agents: DE Calais Campbell (franchise tag), CB Richard Marshall, OLB Clark Haggans, WR Early Doucet, T Brandon Keith, G Deuce Lutui, K Jay Feely.

Where they stand: A strong finish to the 2011 season on defense gives the Cardinals a glass-half-full feel heading into free agency. Going from 1-6 to 8-8 was an impressive achievement. Arizona does have serious concerns on its offensive line. The situation at tackle is particularly questionable even if Levi Brown returns (and maybe especially if he returns, depending on your view). The line concerns might actually dissipate some if the team lands Peyton Manning, a quarterback with the ability to beat pressure with quick throws. But tackle is still an area that needs addressing for the long term. Injuries throughout the offensive backfield raise questions about that area as well. Kevin Kolb (concussion), Beanie Wells (knee), Ryan Williams (knee) and Anthony Sherman (ankle) missed extensive time or played at a diminished level for stretches.

What to expect: The Cardinals are one of the teams chasing Manning. That pursuit could consume them for the short term. Landing Manning would signal the end for Kolb in Arizona. The Cardinals have until March 17 to exercise a $7 million option on Kolb, the quarterback they acquired from Philadelphia for cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a fat contract. I'm expecting a resolution to Manning's situation before the Kolb bonus comes due simply because interest in Manning should be high enough to accelerate the process. The Cardinals had about $3 million in salary-cap space entering the week, according to ESPN's John Clayton. That figure could increase substantially once the team releases Brown or reworks his contract. Arizona still has strong coaching ties to Pittsburgh on both sides of the ball, but it's an upset if the Cardinals seriously pursue any of the aging veterans recently released by the Steelers. Developing young talent is the priority now. Re-signing Marshall, who fared well at corner, should be a priority. Does free-agent linebacker Stewart Bradley still factor prominently into the team's plans, particularly at such a high price?

St. Louis Rams

Key free agents: WR Brandon Lloyd, G Jacob Bell, CB Justin King, OL Adam Goldberg, LB Chris Chamberlain, G Tony Wragge, TE Billy Bajema, WR Mark Clayton, DT Gary Gibson, P Donnie Jones.

Where they stand: The Rams have no interest in staying the course from a personnel standpoint after going 15-65 over the past five seasons. They will seek fresh talent almost across the board as Jeff Fisher's new coaching staff seeks players for its schemes. The Rams are seeking playmakers in particular, starting at wide receiver. The offensive line needs addressing, although the Rams might try to minimize the turnover at offensive tackle for the short term, figuring they cannot afford to create new needs. But former starting center Jason Brown, benched last season, appears unlikely to return. The team also needs two starting outside linebackers, starting defensive tackles and perhaps two starting cornerbacks on defense.

What to expect: Mass roster turnover. I could see the team retaining as few as one or two players from its list of 21 projected unrestricted free agents. The Rams have a disproportionate amount of their salary cap tied up in recent high draft choices Sam Bradford, Chris Long and Jason Smith. The rookie wage scale will provide them cap relief even if the team remains among the teams picking very high in the 2012 draft. Bradford and Long are cornerstones. Smith could stick around at a reduced rate. The team still has hope for him under new offensive line coach Paul Boudreau. Cornerback Cortland Finnegan and defensive lineman Jason Jones, both free agents from Tennessee, have ties to Fisher and could make sense for the Rams. Despite the need for playmakers on offense, the Rams did not use the franchise tag on Lloyd, their most talented receiver. Questions persist about how effective Lloyd might be outside Josh McDaniels' offense.

San Francisco 49ers

Key free agents: QB Alex Smith, CB Carlos Rogers, FS Dashon Goldson (franchise tag), G Adam Snyder, WR Ted Ginn Jr., WR Josh Morgan, G Chilo Rachal, FB Moran Norris, LB Blake Costanzo.

Where they stand: Coach Jim Harbaugh has said it's a bit unsettling heading through the offseason with his starting quarterback unsigned. Smith and the 49ers are expected to reach agreement eventually. This relationship will almost certainly continue even if Smith does reach free agency without a deal in place. Smith would not fit nearly as well anywhere else. Harbaugh likes to use the word "equity" when describing players he wants to keep. The 49ers would rather bring back Smith than invite the disruption that Manning would bring, were they able to land him. The team needs help at wide receiver and possibly cornerback, depending upon what happens with Rogers. Getting Goldson at the relatively reasonable franchise rate ($6.2 million) was a plus for the 49ers' continuity in the secondary.

What to expect: Not a whole lot, most likely. The 49ers were a good team last season after taking a low-keyed approach to the free-agent market. They will presumably show interest in Vincent Jackson, Mike Wallace and any high-profile, productive receiver with the talent to upgrade their offense. It's a small upset if the 49ers land one of them, however, because their philosophy is built on a measured approach resistant to overpaying. They will have to address the receiver position in free agency one way or another, however. Re-signing Morgan would help. Pierre Garcon, Marques Colston, Mario Manningham, Plaxico Burress and Robert Meachem are among the other options in free agency. An upgrade at right guard would help the line, but the 49ers might be apt to develop 2011 draft choice Daniel Kilgore after investing first-round choices in their left tackle (Joe Staley), left guard (Mike Iupati) and right tackle (Anthony Davis).

Seattle Seahawks

Key free agents: DE Red Bryant, LB David Hawthorne, LB Leroy Hill, OL Paul McQuistan, DE Raheem Brock, DL Tony Hargrove, FB Michael Robinson, RB Justin Forsett, QB Charlie Whitehurst, LB Matt McCoy, TE John Carlson, LB Heath Farwell.

Where they stand: The Seahawks' long-term quarterback situation hangs over them as they head toward the 2012 draft with only the 12th overall choice. The team has built up the rest of its roster to a point where sticking with Tarvaris Jackson as the primary starter could hold back the team to a degree it did not through much of last season. Upgrading the pass rush is another priority for the Seahawks. With defensive end Raheem Brock publicly stumping for Seattle to land Manning, his former teammate, I couldn't help but wonder which one of them had a better shot at earning a roster spot with the team in 2012. It might be Manning, even if the Seahawks are relative long shots for his services. Brock failed to provide the pass-rush push Seattle needed opposite Chris Clemons. Linebacker is another position the Seahawks need to address, whether or not Hawthorne and Hill return.

What to expect: The Seahawks have roughly $30 million in cap space, according to Clayton, and will make every effort to land Manning. They feel they've got a shot as long as they can persuade him to get on a plane and check out what they have to offer in terms of the roster, coaching, facilities, ownership and more. If Manning goes elsewhere, I would expect the Seahawks to consider Green Bay quarterback Matt Flynn. Securing him at a price lower than what Arizona paid for Kolb would be the goal. As badly as the Seahawks want to upgrade the position, they have said they will not panic. Overpaying for Flynn could represent panic in their eyes. On the pass-rush front, I'm increasingly skeptical the team will shell out for Mario Williams. The price could be too high for a player Houston has decided to let hit the market. Re-signing Bryant is a priority, but using the franchise tag for him was never an option given the $10.6 million price. A deal slightly north of the one teammate Brandon Mebane signed seems likelier if Bryant returns.

The St. Louis Rams have 20 players scheduled to become unrestricted free agents.

I'm not sure any of them qualify as players the Rams absolutely must bring back, particularly with a new coach and new schemes on both sides of the ball.

Receiver Brandon Lloyd would help fill a need, but at what price? Would he fit as well in a new offense after producing at disproportionate levels to this point when paired with former coordinator Josh McDaniels, now in New England?

Guard Jacob Bell played for new coach Jeff Fisher in Tennessee. He might have more value to the new staff than he had to the old one; McDaniels wanted more powerful guards, such as Harvey Dahl.

This item, like the previous one for Arizona, expands upon Brian McIntyre's lists. I've added columns for offensive and defensive snap counts from 2011, courtesy of ESPN Stats & Information. The final column shows how much each player's previous contract averaged.

Update: Punter Donnie Jones is also an unrestricted free agent. His previous contracted averaged not quite $1.2 million.

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Receiver Danny Amendola, listed with the restricted free agents below, has not played since suffering an elbow injury in the 2011 season opener.

The St. Louis Rams' injury situation should, in theory, clear the way for the team to evaluate young depth against Cincinnati in Week 15.

That will happen at defensive end, where rookie Robert Quinn is getting the start over injured and inactive veteran James Hall. Quinn has shown flashes of ability as a situational player this season. Taking a longer look at him across additional situations will help.

But in too many other cases, the Rams are playing out the season without learning much about the future. Injuries are one reason. Not having enough young depth is another reason.

Sam Bradford is inactive against the Bengals, but replacement Kellen Clemens is a stopgap, not a developmental player. The team had hoped to keep Thaddeus Lewis on is practice squad coming out camp, but Lewis signed with Cleveland. And without a regular offseason, the team decided to stick with veteran A.J. Feeley as its backup even though Feeley, now injured, did not know the new offense.

Left tackle Rodger Saffold is also out. His replacement Sunday, Adam Goldberg, is 31 years old. The team knows he projects as a backup guard and tackle. He isn't going to develop into more than that.

The team has suffered too many injuries at cornerback to even consider developing young players at that position. With Justin King out Sunday, Rod Hood gets the start. Hood is 30 years old and still coming back from a career-threatening knee injury. He did not play in 2010.

Some of the players St. Louis wanted to develop this season -- tight end Michael Hoomanawanui, receiver Greg Salas and tackle Jason Smith -- are on injured reserve.

As a result, the Rams are largely just playing out the final three games.

SEATTLE -- Sam Bradford has struggled during his second season for a variety of reasons.

Getting him back Monday night still improves the St. Louis Rams' chances against Seattle, and probably by a significant margin. Backup A.J. Feeley isn't available. The other backups, Tom Brandstater and Kellen Clemens, have spent little time with the team and lack Bradford's talent.

From a Rams standpoint, I'm most interested in seeing whether the coaching staff tries to protect Bradford by leaning more heavily on Steven Jackson and the running game. The Rams conceded the run during their 24-7 home defeat to Seattle in Week 11.

Conditions for passing the ball could improve with Mark LeVoir returning to take over at left tackle for the Rams. But crowd noise will still be a problem. And even if the line is better with LeVoir on the left side and Adam Goldberg moving back to the right, the Rams are still facing a formidable defensive front on the road with a pair of backup tackles.

St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford dropped back to pass on first down and had no idea the Arizona Cardinals' Sam Acho was about to sack him.

Acho had swiftly beaten left tackle Adam Goldberg. Bradford had been holding the ball in both hands, but he was just beginning his throwing motion when Acho wrapped both arms around Bradford at biceps level. The ball came out and Bradford had no chance at a recovery with Acho slamming him to the ground.

Paris Lenon recovered for the Cardinals, killing a Rams drive that had reached the Arizona 16-yard line.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says fumbles have been a big problem for Bradford this season. Thomas: "(Bradford) has fumbled 10 times in nine games this season and lost a league-high seven fumbles. The only players in the NFL even close to the latter total are quarterbacks Joe Flacco of Baltimore and Mark Sanchez of the New York Jets, who have five lost fumbles apiece this season." Noted: Improved pass protection, better receiving targets and a quick passing game would help Bradford significantly.

Also from Thomas: a closer look at those fumbles.

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com updates the team's injury situation, noting that Tarvaris Jackson felt better this week than in the recent past. Coach Pete Carroll: "I think his confidence that he can get through it is there. And he’s throwing the day before the game, and he hasn’t thrown less than two days before the game in past weeks. So this is a big improvement for him." Noted: This comes as a surprise after Jackson seemed to struggle making throws against the Redskins. Jackson has three touchdowns and seven interceptions since returning from the injury in Week 8. He ranks 29th in completion percentage (55.0), 17th in yards per game (210.6), fourth in most interceptions and 27th in Total QBR (37.7) during that time, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com checks in with Neil Hornsby of Pro Football Focus for thoughts on various Cardinals players' viability for Pro Bowl consideration. Hornsby named Adrian Wilson to his Pro Bowl team through Week 12. Hornsby via Urban: "Very consistent, very balanced all-round performance with underneath coverage being a strong suit. Giving up less than 50 percent completions when thrown at and has a passer rating of 66.8 into his coverage. Areas to work on: cutting back on penalties and getting better value than two hits and four pressures from his 46 blitzes." Noted: Wilson seems to have improved as the season has progressed. That comes as a surprise, in my view, given that Wilson suffered a torn biceps tendon during training camp. I wondered whether Wilson might be vulnerable as he tried to play with the injury. Instead, Wilson has been able to start every game, and his biceps seems to have improved. He has long since shed the protective wrap he had been wearing.

Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle asks whether opponents have solved the 49ers' offense in recent weeks. Branch: "Consider that in their past three games, the Niners have: scored four touchdowns, with just one coming on a drive of more than 50 yards. They have scored one touchdown on 26 drives originating in their own territory; converted 13 of 44 third downs (29.5 percent), a lower conversion rate than their season total of 30.6 percent, which ranks 30th in the NFL; and collected three touchdowns (and four field goals) in nine trips to the red zone." Noted: This is a fair question. I thought the 49ers were unusually sloppy in multiple phases during their 23-7 victory over Arizona. Their performance against Baltimore last week stood as their worst of the season. Facing the Rams should help this week.

Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News says Frank Gore needs only 22 yards to become the 49ers' all-time rushing leader.

Grant Cohn of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says 49ers great Steve Young doubts the team can become elite offensively. Young: "What you learned last week is our defense can go anywhere, anytime, anyplace. We just pack it -- I don’t care if it’s on a two day rest, a bye week -- this defense is going to be good and down the road they’re going to be great. But the offense is not ready for prime time, generally in a playoff atmosphere. You see how they couldn’t protect. They just couldn’t kind of get going. And so it depends on who they play. They're going to have a home game against Detroit, Atlanta. ... It doesn’t always show early. To me it will show later when they need to score 31 against the Packers, they need to score 35 against the Saints. That’s a tough one there, and that’s where you ask your defenses, 'Look, these are the best offenses in the league. Keep them under three scores. You’ve got to do that.'"

Arizona: Quarterback Kevin Kolb took all the first-team reps in practice Wednesday for the first time since suffering toe/foot injuries against Baltimore one month ago. That puts Kolb on course to start against Dallas. Running back Beanie Wells was limited, but his 27-carry, 228-yard performance against Arizona suggests his knee injury is no longer holding him back much. And with fullback Anthony Sherman also healthy, the Cardinals' offensive backfield finally appears whole. That gives the team a chance to more accurately evaluate its offense over the final five games of the season. Hamstring trouble continues to limit tight end Todd Heap, but rookie Rob Housler practicing fully. Tight end Jeff King has become a preferred outlet against pressure for Arizona quarterbacks.

St. Louis: The team limited quarterback Sam Bradford in practice as a precaution after Bradford aggravated his ankle injury against Arizona. Bradford remains the expected starter against San Francisco, but with both starting tackles out for the season, his well-being is a concern Sunday. Adam Goldberg is expected to make his second consecutive start at left tackle. He struggled against Arizona's Sam Acho last week. The challenge grows against the 49ers' Justin Smith and Aldon Smith. On defense, Rams safety Darian Stewart remains sidelined by a concussion. He has been a willing hitter and an occasional playmaker. The Rams would miss him.

San Francisco: The 49ers are expected to have fullback Bruce Miller back from a concussion this week. The team missed Miller against Baltimore. Getting Miller back could help the running game and the offense overall. However, the 49ers could remain without starting right guard Adam Snyder, who is recovering from a hamstring injury. Snyder has been a stabilizing force on the right side of the line. The 49ers might be wise to rest him, in my view. The same goes for receiver Braylon Edwards, whose play has suffered from injuries to his knee and shoulder.

Seattle: Sidney Rice's placement on injured reserve with a concussion hurts the offense. Mike Williams, Golden Tate, Deon Butler and Ben Obomanu figure to get more playing time. The team needs to find out more about Tate and Butler in particular. That should happen over the final five games. Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson has practiced this week despite the pectoral injury that has affected his play in recent weeks. Defensive tackle Alan Branch has returned to practice this week. The Seahawks' run defense missed him against Washington.

Five things I noticed about the Arizona Cardinals while watching their 23-20 road victory over the St. Louis Rams in Week 12:

• Cardinals exploited Rams' tackle situation. Defensive end Calais Campbell ended the Rams' first drive by shedding left tackle Adam Goldberg and bringing down Steven Jackson behind the line of scrimmage. Outside linebacker Sam Acho ended the Rams' second drive by beating Goldberg decisively for a fumble-forcing sack. Acho, a rookie fourth-round choice, finished the game with two sacks. That's great for him and an encouraging sign for the team, but the Rams' personnel issues played a huge role in Acho's success. The Rams were without both starting tackles and backup Mark LeVoir. Acho beat Goldberg for a sack in the red zone before halftime, another key play. These were mismatches.
• Don't blame Keith for Long's sack. Right tackle Brandon Keith shoved the Rams' Chris Long well past the pocket on a first-down play late in the first quarter. Long collected a sack anyway because quarterback John Skelton held the ball too long.
• Colledge key on Wells' runs. Left guard Daryn Colledge pulled to his left and sealed linebacker Brady Poppinga to spring Beanie Wells' 71-yard run in the second quarter. Colledge pulled and took out middle linebacker James Laurinaitis to spring Wells' 3-yard run on third-and-4 in the third quarter (I initially thought Wells got the first down). Colledge pulled right and took out Laurinaitis to spring Wells' 53-yard run in the fourth quarter, with fullback Anthony Sherman blocking Poppinga to the same side.
• Larry Fitzgerald is not eight feet tall. Skelton threw high for Fitzgerald the first three times he targeted the Cardinals' 6-foot-3 receiver. Not just a little high, either. Skelton missed Fitzgerald by feet, not inches. Fitzgerald slammed his hand on the ground following the third missed chance, this one a short throw from a clean pocket near the goal line. Skelton's fourth pass to Fitzgerald sailed high and behind its target, causing the usually graceful Fitzgerald to skid along the turf on his rear end as he applied the brakes, Flintstones-style. Skelton missed other receivers high as well. Instead of trying Patrick Peterson on offense, as the Cardinals did without success Sunday, they ought to consider the 6-8 Campbell.
• Daryl Washington is everywhere. The Cardinals' second-year inside linebacker flashes Pro Bowl ability. He tackled Jackson after gains of zero, 1 and 1 yards, and again after seven yards on a third-and-14 play. He also tackled tight end Lance Kendricks after 12 yards on third-and-17. Washington was nearly too aggressive in breaking up another pass to Kendricks on a third-and-1 play.

Enjoy your Monday night. Should be a good game between the New York Giants and New Orleans Saints.

The St. Louis Rams have yet to hear about an injury they could not top.

They proved it Friday when starting left tackle Rodger Saffold suffered a serious pectoral injury that could require season-ending surgery. Saffold suffered the injury during a routine weight-lifting session, the team said.

For pure freak value, that arguably tops the season-ending knee injury Seattle Seahawks right tackle James Carpenter suffered during routine pass-rush drills Thursday. Tom Cable, the Seahawks' veteran offensive line coach, said he'd never seen a player injured seriously in such a drill.

Just like that, both the Seahawks and Rams are heading into their game Sunday with barely recognizable offensive lines. The Rams have already lost eight cornerbacks -- nine, depending on one's accounting -- to injuries this season. One report Sunday said their backup running back, Cadillac Williams, suffered a calf injury while checking into the game.

Before losing Saffold, the Rams had already lost starting right tackle Jason Smith to a concussion. Removing Saffold from the equation forces Mark LeVoir into the lineup at left tackle. Adam Goldberg is filling in for Smith at right tackle. The Rams have no tackle depth at this point, in other words. They had already shaken up their personnel on the line by replacing center Jason Brown with Tony Wragge.

The Seahawks, meanwhile, will play for the first time this season without Carpenter and rookie right guard John Moffitt, who suffered a season-ending knee injury against Baltimore in Week 10. They've been getting increasingly strong play from left tackle Russell Okung and center Max Unger, however, so their line has the edge heading into Sunday -- barring any new injuries before kickoff.

The St. Louis Rams head into the second half of their schedule with Tony Wragge at center and Adam Goldberg at right tackle.

The team did not plan for journeyman backups to emerge as starters, but the switch to Wragge from Jason Brown was voluntary. The switch to Goldberg from Jason Smith was related to injury, but after two-plus games with Goldberg, are the Rams worse off? Tough to say.

Offensive line was one area where the Rams invested heavily through the draft and free agency. They have relatively little to show for their investments, a concern as the team tries to build around quarterback Sam Bradford.

Heading into Week 10, however, the picture looks like this:

• Left tackle Rodger Saffold is struggling with consistency. He's had lingering back problems and suffered a lower-leg injury at Green Bay. Whether those injuries are affecting his play, Saffold hasn't taken the next step after a promising rookie season.
• Left guard Jacob Bell was released before the season and brought back on a reduced contract, an indication the team no longer valued him as it once did. Bell has played pretty well, however.
• Brown, the starter at center since signing a big free-agent contract in 2009, does not play with the surly demeanor the Rams have been seeking along their line. He hasn't played consistently well this season. The change from Brown to Wragge suggests Brown will not be back next season under his current deal, and probably not at all.
• Harvey Dahl remains the starter at right guard. The team signed him because it wanted a bigger, stronger guard with toughness and attitude. Dahl better fits the McDaniels mold for guards. He seems to be functioning as anticipated.
• Goldberg is starting at right tackle while Smith recovers from head/neck injuries suffered at Dallas. The team signed Dahl to replace Goldberg at right guard. Goldberg isn't a power player and doesn't project as a long-term starter. He's a versatile backup, though.

The Rams thought they had overcome a 2005 draft that brought them Alex Barron, Richie Incognito and Claude Terrell. At best, however, they are set for next season at left tackle and right guard, unless Smith returns and improbably justifies his first-round salary.

Brandon Lloyd's arrival in St. Louis has coincided with Steven Jackson's fuller return to health over the past two weeks.

The offense has gone through quite a transition.

With an assist from Hank Gargiulo of ESPN Stats & Information, I've put together a chart showing how playing time has changed for the Rams' skill players over the last two games.

Some of the changes are injury related (Jackson is healthy, Danny Amendola is on injured reserve). Some are roster related (Lloyd added, Mike Sims-Walker subtracted). Some are a little more complicated (Lance Kendricks seeing the field less frequently).

Of course, A.J. Feeley has taken over for the injured Sam Bradford at quarterback. The offensive line has changed since Adam Goldberg replaced an injured Jason Smith at right tackle.

A few quick thoughts:

• Rookie Greg Salas is getting significantly more playing time. The team successfully targeted him on a fourth-and-2 play against New Orleans on Sunday. He appears to be gaining momentum. Fellow rookie wideout Austin Pettis has seen his playing time fall.
• Tight end Michael Hoomanawanui has gained snaps at Kendricks' expense. Kendricks has sometimes struggled with dropped passes, but I haven't figured out for sure why his playing time has diminished. A healthier Hoomanwanui would account for some of the change. The team has run 10 snaps of a grouping with Lloyd, Jackson and all three tight ends.
• Receiver Danario Alexander was inactive with a hamstring injury against New Orleans. Against Dallas, he played 13 snaps with a group featuring Lloyd, Jackson, Billy Bajema and Hoomanawanui. That five-man combination has played more snaps than any other featuring Lloyd. The runnerup, with 11 snaps, features Brandon Gibson, Kendricks and Salas instead of Bajema, Hoomanawanui and Alexander.
• Again, this offense remains in transition. We can safely say Lloyd is the focal point at receiver. Salas and Hoomanawanui have been gaining, while Pettis and Kendricks have fallen back some. But the combinations will continue to evolve, particularly once Bradford returns from his high-ankle sprain. Bradford and Kendricks developed a quick connection at training camp.

The chart shows percentages of all offensive plays, whether or not a player was active, sorted by change from the first six weeks.

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The item Saturday detailing struggles for the 2009 NFL draft class needs some updating after the St. Louis Rams' 37-7 home defeat to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 3.

Tackle Jason Smith, the second player chosen in that draft, wound up getting benched for Adam Goldberg.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Smith acknowledged his struggles against the Ravens on a day when the Rams could do little right. Smith: "It wasn't my best game. And the coaches pulled me out. I had some penalties in crucial situations. ... And I need to play better so I can help the team." Seattle's Aaron Curry, chosen fourth overall in 2009, lost his starting job heading into Week 3. San Francisco's Michael Crabtree, the 10th pick that year, had a touchdown nullified by a controversial illegal-touching penalty. He finished with three catches for 24 yards. Arizona's Beanie Wells, chosen 31st overall, was a last-minute scratch with a hamstring injury.

Bryan Burwell of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Sam Bradford took a beating against the Ravens as the Rams emerged from this defeat dazed and confused. Burwell: "[Bradford] emerged from the training room with several parts of his body wrapped, bandaged and patched, limped like an old man and later admitted this was as bad a pounding as he'd taken in a while. The winless Rams are a fragile team flirting with a full-blown disaster, and it's going to take a lot to prevent this thing from sliding south in a hurry. The offensive line can't protect Bradford well enough when they face physical, intimidating defenses like they've encountered the first three weeks. He's been sacked 11 times, including five by the brutish Ravens, and roughed up and bounced around probably 10 or 12 more times. And it's starting to look a lot like maybe this newfangled Josh McDaniels offense is not going to create the instant miracles we all envisioned." Noted: Some of the Rams' problems are directly related to the significant injuries they suffered at running back, wide receiver and in the secondary. Still, I expected better from both of their lines.

Dan O'Neill of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says even the Ravens seemed surprised by Torrey Smith's big day against the Rams' defense.

Jeff Gordon of stltoday.com gives the Rams several "F" grades on a brutal postgame report card.

Howard Balzer of 101ESPN St. Louis expected the Rams to adjust once Smith beat cornerback Justin King for touchdowns early in the game. Balzer: "It's understandable that the coaching staff didn't expect Flacco and Co. to call 36 pass plays in the first half and run the ball only eight times. However, what is difficult to understand is how the coaches saw King being torched by Smith and didn't immediately put Bradley Fletcher on him. Of course, the unfortunate reality is that King is starting only because Ron Bartell and Jerome Murphy have been lost for the season. All told, the Rams currently have five cornerbacks on injured reserve, and the next one up might be untested Josh Gordy to see what it can do. Heck, it can't be any worse."

The regular-season opener is proving to be a costly one for the St. Louis Rams.

Running back Steven Jackson suffered a quadriceps injury early in the game and did not return. Adam Goldberg replaced Jason Smith at right tackle after Smith suffered an injury to his left ankle.

Receiver Danny Amendola just left the game and was favoring his left arm.

Quarterback Sam Bradford has taken significant punishment in this game as well, but he has remained in the lineup. One hit in particular, a direct shot to the knee that drew a penalty flag, appeared dangerous.

Veteran guard Tony Wragge's expected addition to the St. Louis Rams, as reported by Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee, dovetails with expectations for the team coming out of the exhibition season.

The Rams want to get bigger on their offensive interior. They did that already by signing free agent Harvey Dahl to replace Adam Goldberg in the starting lineup at right guard. The 32-year-old Wragge, listed at 6-foot-4 and 310 pounds, would give them more power than Hank Fraley offers as a backup to all three interior positions. Wragge started 10 games in 2008, but has not projected as a full-time starter during his career.

Wragge, released by San Francisco, became expendable to the 49ers after the team developed guard/tackle Adam Snyder as a backup center this summer. With Alex Boone developing as the swing tackle, the 49ers felt comfortable proceeding with Snyder and Boone as primary backups on the line.

The Rams' needs along the line changed when the team hired Josh McDaniels as its offensive coordinator. McDaniels has typically valued interior linemen with more power than the Rams have had with Goldberg and Fraley. The Rams wanted more power on the interior anyway.

The Rams kept only eight offensive linemen on their initial reduction to 53 players, one fewer than teams typically keep. They used the additional roster spot to keep a seventh receiver in Dominique Curry, whose value rests solely on special teams. Signing Wragge would call into question Fraley's status.

Rams vice president of player personnel Mike Williams was with the 49ers from 2000-08. The 49ers signed Wragge in 2005. Wragge had been with the Arizona Cardinals previously.