Rams quarterback out 8-10 weeks

ST. LOUIS, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- St. Louis Rams quarterback Kurt Warner, the NFL's Most Valuable Player two of the last three years, will miss eight to 10 weeks with a broken right pinky and is scheduled to have surgery on Tuesday.

Warner suffered the injury in the first quarter of Sunday's 13-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Rams coach Mike Martz described Warner's injury as a "T-shaped break" at the base of the finger. He also said Monday that the Rams were close to signing a quarterback.

The loss of Warner is a tremendous blow for the defending NFC champions. At 0-4, the Rams are off to their worst start in 39 years.

Warner suffered the injury when he tried to brace himself after being knocked to the artificial turf by blitzing safety Roy Williams. He got off the pass, but it was picked off by defensive end Greg Ellis, giving Warner a league-leading eight interceptions.

Warner broke the same finger in an Oct. 22, 2000 game at Kansas City and missed five games.

Jamie Martin replaced Warner Sunday and was 24-of-37 for 262 yards and one touchdown with one interception.

A Pro Bowler each year since he became a starter in 1999, Warner threw for a career-high 4,830 yards last season.

St. Louis has been besieged by injuries and already is without Pro Bowl left tackle Orlando Pace and starting outside linebacker Tommy Polley. Pace tore his left calf muscle in practice last week and Polley strained his groin in last Monday's 26-14 loss at Tampa Bay. Both are expected to miss at least two weeks.