Rams' Holt going against his mentor

Torry Holt learned how to be a professional receiver from Isaac Bruce, a mentor he will reconnect with Sunday.

The St. Louis Rams released Bruce in the spring in a salary cap move, and Bruce moved on to San Francisco. The Rams (2-7) go there Sunday to play the 49ers (2-7).

Holt and Bruce were among the top tandems ever during their heydays when Kurt Warner quarterbacked the Rams to two Super Bowl appearances and one victory, and afterward when Marc Bulger became the quarterback.

Bruce helped Holt make the transition from N.C. State to the pros.

"He was very positive, resilient, confident, focused," Holt said. "And he illustrated that everyday. As a young man, I was definitely able to take that from him early and apply it to my lifestyle and the way I go about things."

HASSELBECK, BRANCH READY: The three-time Pro Bowl passer Matt Hasselbeck and former Super Bowl MVP receiver Deion Branch are ready to start for the first time in six weeks Sunday when the Seattle Seahawks play the first-place Arizona Cardinals.

RAMS' JACKSON OUT: St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson will not play Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers because of his injured right thigh.

PANTHERS' KALIL DOUBTFUL: Carolina Panthers center Ryan Kalil is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions because of a lingering right ankle injury.

HENSON RE-SIGNED: Former Michigan quarterback Drew Henson was re-signed Friday to the Detroit Lions' practice squad. Detroit cut Henson on Wednesday.

GOOD NEWS FOR REDSKINS: Washington Redskins backup running backs Ladell Betts, who had a sprained left knee, plans to play Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys. Lead back Clinton Portis expressed optimism about making "progress" with a sprained medial collateral ligament and did not rule out playing.

(THE WASHINGTON POST)