The Associated Press
ATLANTA—
Keith Lyle got his starting free safety job back for the Super Bowl with the St. Louis Rams — for one series.

Lyle, who missed eight games with a bruised nerve in his left shoulder and neck area, returned to action as a nickel back for the NFC championship game. He replaced Devin Bush as the Super Bowl starter a day after coach Dick Vermeil had said that Bush would get the nod.

But after one series, Bush and Lyle switched places and Lyle played only in obvious passing situations.

Lyle was a Pro Bowl second alternate in spite of the injury. He intercepted 23 passes from 1995-98, the most in the NFL.

The Rams' inactives Sunday were safety Ron Carpenter, offensive guard Cameron Spikes, wide receiver Chris Thomas and Joe Germaine, the third-string quarterback.