ST. LOUIS -- There's a chance St. Louis Rams running back Marshall Faulk could make his first start in four weeks Sunday at Kansas City.

Faulk played as a reserve last week after missing two games with a high sprain on his right ankle, and he ran nine times for 29 yards. Coach Mike Martz said Wednesday that Faulk was "no worse for the wear.''

Offensive tackle Orlando Pace might miss the rest of the season with what Martz characterized as a "significant hamstring tear.''

"If we have him back at the end of the year for a game, I think we'd be very fortunate,'' the coach said.

Martz said rookie Lamar Gordon, despite continued fumbling problems, probably would get his third straight start at tailback. But he left the door open for Faulk, who again is listed as questionable.

"I don't know where Marshall is for sure,'' Martz said. "As the week goes on, if he feels real good, then we'll start him. But that'll be up to Marshall.''

Martz said the injury isn't going to heal before the offseason.

"I think this is something he's going to have to deal with,'' Martz said. "It probably won't get a whole heck of a lot better through the rest of the season, so we'll monitor that.''

Quarterbacks Kurt Warner and Marc Bulger also were listed as questionable, although Warner is expected to miss at least two weeks with a broken hand. Bulger has made slow progress after spraining a ligament on his right index finger Nov. 18 against the Bears. Martz said he would like to hold him out of practice all week.

The coach added that Bulger's finger can be taped to allow him to throw on Sunday if needed. He'll probably be the backup behind Jamie Martin, although the Rams also re-signed Scott Covington.