Kurt Warner undergoes surgery

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 1 (UPI) -- St. Louis Rams quarterback Kurt Warner, the NFL's MVP two of the last three years, Tuesday

underwent surgery to repair a broken right pinky. He is expected to be out 8-10 weeks.

"The surgery went well, and we anticipate that with rehabilitation, he will recover function over eight to 10 weeks," said Rams head physician Dr. Matthew J. Mattava, who performed the surgery with Dr. Richard H. Gelberman at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.

The 55-minute procedure involved the insertion of four pins into the proximal phalanx bone, which is the bone that runs along the outside of the finger from the large knuckle nearest the wrist to the middle knuckle closer to the tip of the finger.

Warner sustained the injury in the Rams' 13-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys Sunday. He broke the same finger in October 2000, but this was a new fracture.

"In 2000 the fracture was close to the central knuckle," said Dr. Gelberman. "This fracture was at the other end of the proximal phalanx bone, near the joint at the knuckle where the finger attaches to the hand. The bone was broken in three places and displaced."

Warner will wear a splint to protect and immobilize the finger for appropriately four-to- six weeks. He will begin therapy to restore strength and range of motion. The pin will be removed after five-to-six weeks, and then Warner can begin rehabbing the finger to perform tasks such as throwing a football and receiving a snap from center.

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

Warner was hurt when he tried to brace himself after being knocked to the turf by blitzing safety Roy Williams of Dallas.

He got off the pass, but it was picked off by defensive end Greg Ellis, giving Warner a league-leading eight interceptions this season.

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

Warner, a Pro Bowler each year since he became a starter in 1999, 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, who also have been sidelined by crippling injuries.