Rams: Jackson won’t be traded

The St. Louis Rams said running back Steven Jackson is not available in a trade.

Coach Jeff Fisher did his best to quash persistent rumors, saying Tuesday that the Rams aren't shopping Jackson and have not been getting calls about him, either.

"The Steven Jackson rumors are rumors," Fisher said. "He's our running back, and we're not calling around, nor are we getting calls for that matter.

"Put that to rest."

Jackson, a former Eldorado High School standout who entered the season with a franchise-record seven consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, is sharing carries on an extensive basis for the first time in his career.

The 29-year-old Jackson is 11th in the NFC with 403 yards on 108 carries with a 3.7-yard average and one touchdown, and rookie Daryl Richardson is 12th in the conference with 335 yards and a 5.4-yard average.

Richardson, a seventh-round draft pick out of Abilene Christian, jumped ahead of second-rounder Isaiah Pead in training camp.

The Rams (3-5) have a bye this week and will practice today and Thursday before getting four days off. They return to action Nov. 11 at San Francisco.

■ CHIEFS - Matt Cassel is getting another chance to be Kansas City's starting quarterback. He will start Thursday night's game at San Diego because Brady Quinn has not been cleared to practice due to a concussion.

Cassel regained the starting job - at least for one week - that he lost after a dismal five-game stretch to start the season.

Coach Romeo Crennel announced Tuesday that Quinn will not be available and that Ricky Stanzi will serve as the backup. Fullback Nate Eachus also was ruled out with a concussion.

■ JAGUARS-LIONS TRADE - Jacksonville traded wide receiver Mike Thomas to Detroit for an undisclosed draft pick. Thomas signed a three-year extension worth $18 million last October. The deal includes $9 million guaranteed.

The Lions (3-4) lost receiver Nate Burleson for the season last week, so Thomas gives them depth behind Calvin Johnson, Titus Young and rookie Ryan Broyles.

And the Jaguars (1-6) get a draft pick for a player who has fallen out of favor with a new coaching staff. First-round draft pick Justin Blackmon and second-year pro Cecil Shorts III passed Thomas on the depth chart, and the Jaguars recently stripped Thomas of his role as punt returner.

Thomas has 13 receptions for 80 yards this season.

■ BUCCANEERS - Tampa Bay placed guard Carl Nicks and tight end Danny Noble on injured reserve and elevated guard Roger Allen to the active roster from the practice squad.

Nicks, an All-Pro with the Saints in 2011 before signing with the Bucs as a free agent, will require surgery on his left foot to repair a toe problem. He has started all seven games with the Buccaneers and played in all 71 of his team's games since entering the league in 2008, including 68 consecutive starts.

■ SEAHAWKS - Wide receiver Ben Obomanu was placed on season-ending injured reserve with a wrist injury suffered in Sunday's loss to Detroit.

No details were given about how severe Obomanu's injury was, or to which wrist. Obomanu, a seventh-round draft pick of Seattle in 2006, had four receptions in eight games this season and was a key contributor on special teams.

■ AP RANKINGS - The Atlanta Falcons easily retained the top spot in the AP Pro32 NFL power rankings, following a convincing win at Philadelphia. The New York Giants edged the Houston Texans for second place in the latest rankings.

Atlanta (7-0), the league's only undefeated team, received nine first-place votes and 319 points from 10 of the 12 media members on The Associated Press panel who reported their ballots.

The Giants have the other first-place vote and 303 points, two more than the third-place Texans as the top seven teams held steady from a week ago.

Indianapolis made the biggest move, advancing eight spots to No. 16 after a win over Tennessee.

■ CHARGERS - San Diego waived kicker Nate Kaeding after he passed a physical. Kaeding was placed on injured reserve Oct. 22 with a groin injury so that the team could sign wide receiver Danario Alexander. The Chargers said then that they'd release Kaeding when he was healthy.

Kaeding was hurt in practice on Sept. 28, two days before a game at Kansas City. The Chargers signed Nick Novak that day.

If Kaeding isn't claimed on waivers, the Chargers will owe him $1.1 million in termination pay.