Rams Quarterback Marc Bulger will not play this week after apparently failing to pass the necessary neuropsych tests Wednesday afternoon.

Bulger suffered a concussion against the Seahawks last week when he was hit hard from behind by Seattle linebacker Leroy Hill in the first quarter. Bulger missed the rest of the game after taking the hit and was taken to a local hospital for evaluation.

“They didn’t clear him," coach Scott Linehan said. "The assumption was made that there is still a chance of that based on how he’s still feeling.”

Before the season, every player must take a baseline test that will be repeated if the player suffers a concussion during the season. Players are shown pictures or asked to formulate sequences in what amounts to a basic game of memory. The NFL cracked down on concussions before the season, fearing that players were rushing back too soon from the head injuries.

Bulger took the tests Wednesday afternoon after sitting out Wednesday morning’s practice. Linehan said Bulger was no shoo-in to play against Atlanta even if he had done a satisfactory job on the baseline tests. Linehan spoke with Bulger on Thursday morning and said Bulger is still showing symptoms.

“He is, but nothing too dramatic, but enough to where it’s not wise to consider playing him," Linehan said. "We just declared him out. I knew based on him not being able to play last week and how he felt that there was a possibility that this week (he would not be able to play), but we wanted to wait until we got the test results yesterday. They said he was still experiencing some general symptoms.”

Bulger will be re-tested early next week with the possibility of a return for next weekend's game against Cincinnati.

With Bulger on the sideline for this week, backup Gus Frerotte will make his third start of the season against Atlanta . Frerotte started in place of Bulger against Arizona and Baltimore when Bulger was resting broken ribs.

The Rams called Brock Berlin up from the practice squad early this week when linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa was officially placed on injured reserve, ending his season.

Berlin will be the primary backup to Frerotte with Bulger on the sideline.

Below is Wednesday's story on Bulger.

Quarterback Marc Bulger did not practice Wednesday afternoon as he continues to feel the lingering effects of a concussion suffered against Seattle on Sunday, leaving his status for this week up in the air.

Bulger was scheduled to have baseline neuro-psych tests done late Wednesday afternoon to determine whether he would be able to return to practice this week and potentially play against the Falcons this week. More than likely, he won't play this week regardless of the outcome of the tests.

Coach Scott Linehan said Bulger “seems fine,” but he wanted to leave his status up to the doctors. The results of the tests were not immediately available, but Linehan said even if Bulger passes the tests, it’s not a sure thing he would play this week for fear of doing more damage.

“I don’t know if it’s that cut and dry,” Linehan said. “I would like to think so, but I’ll wait until I hear the results of the last four days of evaluating him and what the tests show and don’t show, and make that decision. We’d err on the side of caution with a concussion for sure.”

Bulger, of course, suffered the concussion when he was hit hard by Seattle linebacker Leroy Hill in the first quarter of Sunday’s loss. Bulger missed two games earlier this season because of bruised ribs.

Even then, Bulger preferred to stay in the lineup, but Linehan and the coaching staff believed it was best to get him some rest. This week is no different as Bulger already began lobbying to play this week before taking the tests.

“I’m sure he does (want to play),” Linehan said. “I don’t think there’s any question. I talked to him and he said, let’s not discuss it until we get through all the tests you need to take first and then we’ll talk about the possibility of playing this game.”

Bulger watched Wednesday’s practice from the sideline wearing sweatpants and a baseball cap. Backup Gus Frerotte took all of the snaps during practice and said he spoke with Bulger.

“He just seems like he did after the game,” Frerotte said. “You can talk to him, he understands what’s going on, but he’s just a little groggy.”

Frerotte has suffered one concussion in his career. He took that hit in 2005 as a member of the Dolphins when they played Buffalo. Frerotte didn’t miss any time because of the concussion, but said everyone responds to them different.

“Everybody’s different,” Frerotte said. “I’ve had friends who come back quickly. I’ve had other friends that take a long time, so everybody’s different. It depends how bad the hit was and how bad your brain was bruised because that’s really what happens; your brain smacks off the inside of your skull. Those kinds of things don’t feel very good and sometimes it takes longer for guys to heal.”

Frerotte would start Sunday if Bulger is unable to play. Former practice squadder Brock Berlin was called to the active roster and would be the backup.

MOURNING CANES: Based on the substantial amount of former Miami Hurricanes playing in the NFL, every locker room in the league was hit hard by the news that Washington safety Sean Taylor died Tuesday morning from a gunshot wound.

The Rams’ locker room is no exception as a pair of former teammates mourned their fallen former teammate and friend Wednesday afternoon.

Taylor played for the Hurricanes for three years, leaving after the 2003 season. In his time at Miami, he played with a pair of Rams in Berlin and center Brett Romberg.

Berlin and Taylor met in 2002 when Berlin transferred from the University of Florida. Over the next two seasons, Berlin and Taylor formed a friendship that Berlin values today.

“It’s tough, especially because everyone pretty much sees him as a football player and I knew him as a person,” Berlin said. “He was a great guy, not only a good teammate but a great friend. You hate to see it happen to somebody at such a young age. It’s a tragedy and it’s pretty tough on everybody right now.”

Romberg had even more fond memories of his time with Taylor. The pair were members of the 2001 national championship team and played on the same team again in 2002 when the Hurricanes lost in the national championship.

Romberg, who says he lives in a neighborhood close to where Taylor was killed, was stunned by the news.

“With his career going where it was going and the Pro Bowl and things of that nature, he was on the right track,” Romberg said. “He was turning his life around and becoming a positive citizen and a positive role model.

“A lot of guys liked him a lot. We never had any issues. He was also a great player on the field. It’s a sad story and I hope a lot of people can take something away from it.”

MAN OF THE YEAR: Linehan announced Wednesday afternoon that defensive tackle La’Roi Glover is the Rams’ nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award.

“He certainly does deserve it,” Linehan said. “La’Roi is the kind of guy who can do these kinds of things and not affect him. Younger players may have to manage that a little different. In his case, he takes some things that are very important to him and puts the time and effort into it. He’s a great leader and a great example for the younger players.”

Each season, every team in the league has a nominee for the award and the winner is announced during the week of the Super Bowl.

INJURY REPORT: Aside from Tinoisamoa and Bulger, the Rams’ injury report is similar to what Linehan said on Monday.

Cornerback Eric Bassey (knee) did not practice and is out this week. Joining Bulger on the sidelines for all of practice were returner Dante Hall (ankle), defensive end James Hall (ankle) and center Andy McCollum (knee).

“Dante re-injured his ankle after his return,” Linehan said. “He was able to finish with it, but it stayed pretty sore on Monday and swelled on him and was sore today. He said he’ll give it a go tomorrow and see how he feels.”

Receiver Drew Bennett (hamstring), receiver Torry Holt (knee), cornerback Fakhir Brown (back) and Romberg (ankle) were limited in practice. Romberg took repetitions with the starters, but said his ankle is still quite sore.

Safety Hanik Milligan, who suffered a broken hand against Seattle, practiced with a large cast on his hand. Milligan was cleared to play with the cast and is expected to play against Atlanta.

RAM BITS: Brandon Gorin and Rob Petitti continued to alternate repetitions at right tackle. Gorin remains the better pass blocker with Petitti more of a road grader in the running game. Both will probably still get action against the Falcons…There are still plenty of tickets available for this weekend’s game against Atlanta and if you want to see this weekend’s game, a ticket will likely be your best option. Signs are pointing toward another blackout…Tackle Todd Weiner did not practice for Atlanta this afternoon because of a knee injury. Tight end Alge Crumpler (foot), cornerback DeAngelo Hall (ankle), receiver Joe Horn (hamstring, foot) and quarterback Byron Leftwich (tailbone) were limited…Cornerback Justin Phinisee and linebacker Larry Edwards were added to the practice squad and offensive lineman Jeremy Parquet was released.