Miller Remains Sore After Injuring Shoulder : Rams: Quarterback uncertain of his status for Sunday’s game against Kansas City. Backup Chandler says he’ll be ready if called upon.

The Rams’ latest quarterback situation was painfully clear Monday when Chris Miller and Chris Chandler walked side-by-side on their way to a team meeting.

Miller, the incumbent starter, held his right throwing arm bent at his side and rubbed his sore right shoulder with his left hand.

Chandler, the backup, walked pain-free.

So who will start on Sunday against a Kansas City Chief pass rush that features Derrick Thomas and Neil Smith?

The Rams remain mum, but Chandler, acquired in the off-season as insurance for the oft-injured Miller, said he’s preparing himself as if he is the starter. “I always do anyway,” he said. “But considering (Miller) is all banged up, it adds a little more importance.”

Said Miller: “Right now, it’s just day-to-day. I’ve definitely felt better but I’m going in and getting treatment and doing the things I need to do to get ready.”

Coach Chuck Knox stuck with his tradition of not making personnel decisions on Mondays. But Knox said Chandler would start Sunday if Miller isn’t recovered. “We’ll wait and see what develops,” Knox said. “If Miller isn’t ready to go, Chandler will. We’ll know more on Miller’s situation in a couple days.”

He has come back from knee operations in the last two seasons, sat out the exhibition opener because of a sore abdomen and received three pain-killing injections in his rib cage before the Atlanta game a week ago.

Sunday, he got an injection for a nerve he pinched in his right shoulder when he was sacked by San Francisco’s Dana Stubblefield in the second quarter of the 49ers’ 34-19 victory at Anaheim Stadium.

During his seven seasons in Atlanta, Miller was often criticized for his lack of durability. Does Knox have similar concerns now, considering that the team invested a three-year, $9-million contract in Miller?

“The injuries he had before were to his knees,” Knox said. “It’s unfortunate that he has the rib cartilage and now the pinched nerve. But those things happen. That’s the game.

“The concern we had about him when we brought him here was about his knees. But that was cleared up. There are a lot of guys who get banged up around the league. Look at how many quarterbacks were out last year.”

Through three games, Miller has the lowest completion percentage in the league--24 of 55 for 43.6%--and ranks 26th in the league in passing efficiency. He has passed for two touchdowns, had four passes intercepted and hasn’t brought any consistency to a Ram offense that ranks 24th in the league.