Faulk’s status unknown

St. Louis ” It’ll be a game-time decision for St. Louis Rams running back Marshall Faulk. Coach Mike Martz said Faulk won’t practice the rest of the week to allow his right ankle sprain and strained tendon to heal. If Faulk can’t play, rookie Lamar Gordon again would start. Gordon had 97 yards rushing and receiving, including a 22-yard touchdown reception, Monday against the Bears.

No McNabb surgery yet

Philadelphia ” Donovan McNabb might not have surgery on the broken right ankle that could sideline him for the rest of the regular season. The Eagles’ quarterback returned to Philadelphia on Thursday with a cast on the ankle after meeting with a specialist in Houston. Koy Detmer, who hasn’t started a game in three years, will guide the NFC East-leading Eagles (7-3) against San Francisco on Monday.

Hand out for Saints

New Orleans ” Kenny Smith will replace tackle Norman Hand in the starting lineup when the Saints play the Cleveland Browns this weekend. The 340-pound Hand and Grady Jackson, who was signed as a free agent in the offseason, were seen as the team’s key run stoppers in training camp. But after some early success, the Saints have given up significant yardage on the ground.