In his first extended action since straining a thigh muscle six weeks ago, Jackson got plenty of work in the first three periods: 20 carries for 93 yards, plus one catch for 16 yards.

But Jackson's final "touch" - a 1-yard run - came with 14 minutes, 4 seconds remaining in the Dolphins' 16-12 victory at the Edward Jones Dome. After that series, Jackson's day was over. Antonio Pittman and Kenneth Darby took the rest of the snaps at running back.

According to coach Jim Haslett, Jackson "was gassed, and his leg started to bother him."

Not so, Jackson insisted. "No, I wasn't gassed," he said. "I had 21 carries and felt great. So, it wasn't me and my conditioning. I wish (Haslett) would stop saying that."

Haslett has mentioned several times that he thought Jackson's training-camp holdout contributed to his injury, which occurred late in the Rams' 34-14 victory over Dallas on Oct. 19. Jackson has bristled at that notion, and he obviously wasn't pleased that Haslett again questioned his fitness.

"That first half, man, I felt amazing," Jackson said. "I really thought we were going to continue to run successfully and continue to dominate."

The Rams picked up field goals - and a rare early lead - on three of their first four possessions. Jackson had four carries for 23 yards on the first points-producing drive, three for 19 on the second and seven for 27 on the third.

"He was really rolling," quarterback Marc Bulger said. "Any little hole, he hits it with such authority. Getting 6 and 7 yards on first down ... it's nice to have him back."

Added center Brett Romberg: "He brings a different spark to this offense."

At the half, Jackson had rolled up 72 yards on 15 carries and appeared headed for his third 100-yard-plus outing of the season. Jackson tacked on 21 yards on five rushes in the third quarter, then was essentially done.

Jackson said he expected to "share some time" with the other backs. "That's what the thinking was going into the game," he explained. "We wanted to kind of make sure I keep going in the right direction. I wasn't going to get 30 carries fresh off a quad injury."

Pittman picked up 25 yards on six carries but dropped two passes. Darby rushed twice for 8 yards and had one reception for 5 yards.

"We told (Jackson) before the game to go as far as you can go, and then we'll play the other guys," Haslett said. Jackson stressed that he didn't take himself out of the game and said it was "definitely frustrating" not to be a part of the Rams' late comeback attempts.

Still, he conceded that "it wasn't something that just caught me off-guard. We felt like we were going to have to pass a little bit more, and Kenneth Darby has been doing a great job for us in that aspect."

Offensive coordinator Al Saunders dialed up just three runs over the final 15 minutes, vs. 13 passes. But the Rams could muster only their fourth field goal of the afternoon.

Afterward, Jackson reported that his thigh was "a little tight and sore." But he said he suffered no setback.

"I've just got to ice it tonight and make sure it doesn't swell up like what happened a couple of weeks ago when I tried to go," he said. "I think we've kind of got a feel for what we need to do through the year to make sure I can still play."