The news was that after starting the last 108 games in which he'd played - dating to the start of the 2001 season - Chavous was being taken out of the lineup. Todd Johnson will start in his place Sunday, when the Seattle Seahawks visit the Edward Jones Dome.

Chavous, 32, remains strong against the run but has lost some speed over his 11 NFL seasons, affecting his cover ability. Neither Chavous nor Johnson spoke with reporters Wednesday. But Haslett said that after registering five tackles and a quarterback pressure in part-time duty Sunday at Arizona, Johnson deserves to start.

"Todd's a really smart guy, and he'll be effective in his own way," Haslett said. "He's not going to be flashy; he's not a flashy type of guy. He's just the kind of guy who goes out there and gets the job done."

The 6-foot-1, 202-pound Johnson is in his sixth NFL season. He started 18 games over three seasons with the Chicago Bears before the Rams signed him as a free agent in March 2007. He was in the lineup last year at Baltimore, when Chavous was out with a chest injury, and helped the Rams limit the Ravens to 77 rushing yards.

Haslett, who had been working Johnson into the defense in recent weeks, acknowledged that benching Chavous, a team captain and influential leader among his teammates, was a difficult task.

"He's well-respected in the locker room, and he's well-respected by the coaches," Haslett said. "I love the guy. He understood, and he said, 'I'm here to do whatever you want. I'll play (special) teams; that's how I made my living early in my career.'

"And if something happens, he'll be ready to step in and play, and we won't miss a beat."

A LEG UP

Filling in for injured kicker Josh Brown during special-teams drills Wednesday, wideout Dane Looker connected on four of five field-goal tries, including one from 50 yards. "I just try to do a little bit of everything," said Looker, who also has returned punts and held for kickers.

Looker cultivated his kicking skills at Puyallup (Wash.) High. "We were so good that we didn't kick many long field goals," he said. "But I think I made one that was in the long 40s."

no sellout yet

Tickets remain for Sunday's game, with the league-mandated deadline looming for local television. If the game is not sold out by noon today, it won't be aired here.

It would be just the fifth blackout since the team moved from Los Angeles in 1995. After selling out their first 100 games here - regular-season and playoffs - the Rams failed to fill the dome for the Dec. 24, 2006, contest against the Washington Redskins.

Three games were blacked out last year. None of the previous six home games this year failed to sell out.

WINDING ROAD

Newly signed cornerback Quincy Butler's route to the Rams included four stops, three teams and two leagues. Here's the itinerary:

Butler signed with Dallas as an undrafted rookie in 2006 and spent two years on the Cowboys' practice squad. This year, he was with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League, New Orleans' practice squad, and the Cowboys' active roster before being released.

"It happens," Butler said, shrugging. "You've just got to learn to grow with it and hopefully become a better player and embrace the role you have on a team."

His initial role with the Rams is to replace fellow cornerback Tye Hill on the 53-man roster. Hill was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, nearly 2? months after suffering torn knee cartilage.

RAM-BLINGS

Josh Brown (groin), cornerback Fakhir Brown (ankle), guard Richie Incognito (ankle) and special-teams stalwart Gary Stills (knee) sat out practice Wednesday but are expected to suit up Sunday. ... Veteran wide receiver Torry Holt was given the day off.