Rams’ Warner Officially Out for Season

The St. Louis Rams put quarterback Kurt Warner on injured reserve Thursday because of his broken right hand, meaning he won’t play again this season.

The move came a day after Coach Mike Martz suggested there will be an open quarterback competition next year if former third-stringer Marc Bulger, who led the Rams to five consecutive victories earlier in the season, picks up where he left off.

Warner, the NFL’s most valuable player two of the last three seasons, admitted he was taken aback by Martz’s comments. The coach has steadfastly been in Warner’s corner all season, accusing those of backing Bulger after Warner recovered from a broken pinkie of being part of the “amnesia crowd.�

“Yeah, it would surprise you just because he’s always been my biggest advocate and I think he knows what I’m capable of doing,� Warner said. “I think probably the issue here more than anything is Kurt getting 100%, and when he’s 100%, then we go from there.�

Martz said he waited until Bulger got medical clearance to play to put Warner on injured reserve.

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Two distractions hit the New York Jets on Thursday: an investigation into an assault of a limousine driver, then fights at practice.

The day began with rampant speculation about which member of the offensive line is being accused of assaulting a Long Island limo driver Monday outside an East Norwich, N.Y., steakhouse. Nassau County police said the case is under investigation and that Jet management has been contacted.

“We do have some interviews scheduled,� said Nassau County Det. Lt. Steven Skrynecki. “We do plan to be interviewing several members of the Jets’ organization.�

The driver, Donald Matinsky, sustained a broken kneecap after allegedly being thrown to the ground by a man believed to be a Jet offensive lineman.

As if that wasn’t enough distraction as the Jets (7-6) prepare for a road game Sunday against the Chicago Bears, Coach Herman Edwards stopped practice after three fights broke out.

“I hope we play like that Sunday,� Edwards said. “I told them to save all that for Sunday.�

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Viking wide receiver Randy Moss avoided jail time and a minor drug charge with a plea bargain at Minneapolis, resolving accusations that he had bumped a traffic safety officer with his car.

Hennepin County District Judge Mark Wernick fined Moss $1,200. Wernick also sentenced Moss to 30 days in jail but gave him two days’ credit for the time he already served, and stayed the rest as long as Moss doesn’t commit any similar careless driving offenses.

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New York Giant receiver Ron Dixon had surgery on his right knee, a day after being suspended by the team for missing doctor’s appointments and a team meeting.