Sam Bradford will finish the preseason as the St. Louis Rams' starting quarterback, at least partly because veteran A.J. Feeley might not be ready to play.

Bradford had a big game in his first start, going 15 of 22 for 189 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in a 36-35 victory Thursday night at New England. The overall No. 1 draft pick from Oklahoma played the first half and completed his first six passes, earning another start on merit.

"Sam Bradford was leading the charge," running back Steven Jackson said.

Bradford showed off his arm with a couple of long passes, showed good mobility rolling out, and looked comfortable and in charge. It was a big step forward from the first two preseason games when he was 12 of 27 for only 81 yards and appeared a bit tentative.

"He was excellent," coach Steve Spagnuolo said Friday. "He said it best I think after the game when he said he felt in rhythm. Anytime your quarterback can get in rhythm, that's a good thing."

Spagnuolo said it's unlikely that Feeley, who has a sprained thumb on his throwing hand, will be ready in time for the preseason finale Thursday night against the Baltimore Ravens. Feeley was named the starter before training camp, although it's long been anticipated that Bradford will soon be the Rams' No. 1 quarterback regardless of Feeley's health.

In six possessions, Bradford produced two touchdowns and two field goals, giving a team that went 1-15 last season a boost while getting its second win this preseason.

Wide receiver Donnie Avery could miss the entire season after his right knee ligament was torn late in the first half Thursday night against the Patriots.

Avery led the Rams with 47 receptions last season. He was injured with 1:32 to go in the first half when he landed after an attempt at a leaping catch. He fell and clutched his knee as the pass dropped incomplete.

Detroit placed defensive end Jared DeVries on injured reserve, meaning he will miss a second consecutive season because of injury. DeVries signed a one-year contract in April. He had been released in February after missing last season following surgery on a ruptured Achilles tendon.

Running back Maurice Jones-Drew is done for the preseason. Jones-Drew, who missed three days of practice this week, didn't make the trip to Tampa for a preseason game Saturday against the Buccaneers. The Jaguars are resting Jones-Drew the final two preseason games for "precautionary reasons." He is expected to be ready for the season opener.

Linebacker Gary Brackett is not expected to miss significant time after X-rays on his injured right hand showed no fractures. Brackett was injured Thursday night at Green Bay when he appeared to hit his hand on the helmet of teammate Philip Wheeler.

Running back Jamaal Charles limped away near the end of the first half Friday night in preseason game after being forced out of bounds by Philadelphia's Nate Allen. Charles, who rushed for 1,120 yards last season, took a short pass from Matt Cassel and was just going out of bounds when Allen pushed him out with a hit around the ankles. He seemed to be holding his right arm but it was not immediately clear where Charles was hurt.

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