Bad News for Warner

Kurt Warner’s throwing hand is broken, and he will miss the St. Louis Rams’ next two games.

Coach Mike Martz ordered Warner to have his right hand X-rayed Monday after the quarterback insisted several times during a meeting that he is fine. The exams showed a hairline fracture, which won’t require surgery.

The two-time NFL MVP appeared to have trouble gripping the ball in Sunday’s 10-3 loss to Philadelphia. He fumbled trying to tuck the ball in and also lost control of the ball trying to pass.

Against the Eagles, Warner threw two interceptions and lost his third fumble of the season. He has three touchdown passes and 11 interceptions in going 0-6 as a starter in 2002.

Martz said backup quarterback Jamie Martin will start next weekend against the Kansas City Chiefs, with Marc Bulger -- 5-0 as an emergency starter this season but hampered by a sprained index finger on his throwing hand -- as the backup.

Warner will be the third quarterback, available only as a last resort.

The loss to the Eagles was Warner’s second game back after missing nearly two months because of a broken pinkie on the same hand. Martz said the latest injury is unrelated to the first.

Martz criticized Warner for underthrowing Isaac Bruce on a probable touchdown pass in the third quarter, and for holding the ball on a fumble in the first quarter,

“He didn’t play very well,” Martz said. “The fumble -- he’s got to get rid of that ball.... We visited this morning with it.”