Chris Draft returned to practice Wednesday, just a month after breaking a bone is his foot, and worked at the inside position with the first team. Normally, that's Will Witherspoon's spot, but he's dealing with injuries to both shoulders and was limited to passing situations Sunday in a 16-12 loss to Miami.

Rookie David Vobora manned the middle against the Dolphins and collected 10 tackles in his first NFL start. Now, it's Draft's turn. "If he feels that he's ready to go, then he'll be the (starter) this week" at Arizona, coach Jim Haslett said.

Noting that Draft is back about two weeks earlier than expected, Haslett added, "It shows you the character you have on the team with some of the players. Now, it's not equating into wins enough, but it does show you at the end of the year when you're evaluating your Football team what kind of guys you want to have on your team. Those are the kind of guys you like to have."

Draft has played all three linebacker positions during his 10-year career. He was stationed in the middle frequently with Carolina in 2005 and '06 before joining the Rams last year as a free agent.

"It's not about what position," said Draft, 5-feet-11 and 236 pounds. "I'm not really worried about that as much as just really getting a feel for where I'm at."

Draft's injury didn't require surgery, and he started running on the side last week. He reported no ill effects after practice Wednesday. "I'm not going to jump out and say, 'Oh, man, it feels so great!' he said. "But I definitely felt good running around today. ... Tomorrow, I'll be able to test that thing again and really feel good about it."

Rookie Chris Chamberlain took some snaps with the first team at strongside linebacker. "You'll see him on the field" vs. the Cardinals, Haslett said. "We want to get a look at him before the season's out."

hill slow to recover

Haslett's exasperation was obvious recently when he was asked when cornerback Tye Hill, out since suffering a knee injury in Week 4, might get back on the field. "I don't know what the time frame is on him," Haslett replied. "It's been a long time already."

Nobody realizes that more than Hill, who has missed eight games this year after being limited to eight last season because of injuries. "Two years like this ... what can you say? At least I can say I made it to the league," Hill said.

That he did, and as the Rams' first-round draft pick (No. 15 overall) in 2006. He was hurt Sept. 28 vs. Buffalo and underwent arthroscopic surgery for torn cartilage. Hill thought he'd be back about a month ago.

Instead, he's logging mile after mile running on the sideline during practice. "Man, I've probably hit the century mark," he quipped.

"I give the training staff (credit); we did everything we could do," Hill continued. "We finally got the swelling to go down, but it just can't seem to turn that corner to really let me get back to being able to play."

Spending so much time on the sideline has heightened his appreciation for the game, Hill stressed. "I remember saying that after last year," he said. "Now, I really would appreciate getting back on that field. ... Even with the way things have gone this season, I would still love to be out there."

RAM-BLINGS

Hill was the only player who didn't practice Wednesday, although several were limited. That group included running back Steven Jackson (thigh), Witherspoon (shoulders), defensive lineman Victor Adeyanju (neck), plus wideouts Donnie Avery (hip) and Keenan Burton (knee). ... Quarterback Marc Bulger was ill but participated fully.