PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Chandler Will Start Against Falcons

Chris Chandler is sound and successful and Chris Miller is not, so Chandler will get the start at quarterback Sunday for the Rams against the Atlanta Falcons in Anaheim Stadium.

Miller said he could be ready to play Sunday, but also said that his shoulder lacks strength because of the injury he suffered against San Francisco.

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ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported this week that Chandler would start if Miller were healthy and suggested further that Coach Chuck Knox now considers Miller a prima donna. Mortensen said Knox has decided to start Chandler for the remainder of the season.

“Well anybody who knows me at all, that would totally be out of character for me to make a statement like that about any player, particularly negative statements about any player,” Knox said. “I have not talked to Chris Mortensen.”

But Knox did not say who would start if Miller were ready.

While it’s unlikely Knox referred to Miller as a prima donna, it’s known his confidence in Miller was shaken after Miller blamed a poor performance on a wet ball in the Georgia Dome and talked publicly about his injuries.

It’s also no secret that Knox is Chandler’s biggest supporter. And while he might have already concluded that Chandler will be his starter the remainder of the year, it’s unlikely he would make such a pronouncement known, even within his own staff.

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Cornerback Darryl Henley has moved past Steve Israel on the depth chart. Knox didn’t even wait until the end of practice before announcing Henley would start at corner over Israel.

Israel has been bothered by a sore knee, but he practiced Wednesday.

Linebacker Roman Phifer is listed as questionable because of an elbow injury and appears a longshot to play against the Falcons. Guard Leo Goeas (ankle), wide receiver Flipper Anderson (flu), wide receiver Isaac Bruce (flu), running back Jerome Bettis (thigh) and Darryl Ashmore (knee) did not practice.

Guard Chuck Belin, playing in place of Goeas, collapsed in practice after suffering an asthma attack. Belin is expected to return to practice today.