ST. LOUIS — St. Louis running back Steven Jackson missed his second straight day of practice today because of a strained right thigh muscle, though the Rams remained hopeful their leading rusher and receiver would be ready for Sunday's game at New England.

"We'll just take it day by day," Haslett said. "He looks better to me."

Jackson speculated Wednesday that it might be better to miss Sunday's game if there was a risk of aggravating the injury, or if it helped him get back to 100 percent for the following week. Haslett had no problem with that.

"It's got to be up to him whether he feels good enough, because I'm not in his body," Haslett said. "A guy breaks a finger, obviously they can play. If a running back hurts his legs, it's a little different."

Haslett said he'd err on the side of caution, and believes his playing background helps him empathize with injured players.

"Being in those shoes, I understand exactly what everybody's going through," Haslett said.

A trio of backs — Antonio Pittman, Travis Minor and Kenneth Darby — would fill in if Jackson isn't ready. Pittman, the backup much of last year, has missed the last three games with a broken bone in his left leg.

Defensive tackle Adam Carriker also missed practice for the second straight day because of a sprained left ankle, and Haslett called him "iffy" for Sunday's game. Carriker, the Rams' first-round pick in 2007, was injured in the first half of last week's victory over Dallas.

"I think Adam's iffy, but we'll see," Haslett said. "He wants to play. I know it's a lot better today, but I don't know if it'll be good enough."

Haslett said veteran La'Roi Glover would return to the starting role if Carriker can't play, and that Victor Adeyanju, who has mostly played at end, would get work inside.

Wide receiver Derek Stanley was cleared to practice after recovering from a concussion on special teams against the Cowboys, his second game after being elevated from the practice squad. Stanley said he was unconscious for about 20 seconds after a helmet-to-helmet hit, and the Rams had called for a cart before he was revived and walked off the field.

"I remember everything before that, and I kind of remember bits and pieces throughout that segment," Stanley said. "Now, I feel great."