Loadholt out vs. Rams

Rookie right tackle Phil Loadholt will miss his first game with an ankle injury. Versatile veteran Artis Hicks will start in place of Loadholt.

Rookie right tackle Phil Loadholt is among the Vikings’ inactives Sunday in St. Louis. Loadholt injured his ankle in training camp, but it’s unclear if this is the same injury (or ankle) he hurt then. He participated fully in Wednesday’s practice, but was limited on Thursday and did not participate Friday. Artis Hicks will start in place of Loadholt.

Also inactive for the Vikings are QB Sage Rosenfels (third QB), WRs Darius Reynaud and Greg Lewis, CB Asher Allen, RB Albert Young, LB Erin Henderson and DT Letroy Guion.

For St. Louis, QB Kyle Boller is expected to start in place of Marc Bulger, who is coming back from a shoulder injury. Bulger will be the number two quarterback.

The Rams’ inactives are QB Keith Null (third QB), S James Butler, S Anthony Smith, G John Greco, G Roger Allen, WR Ruvell Martin, DE Victor Adeyanju and NT Darell Scott.