Phillips in Trouble Again

St. Louis Ram running back Lawrence Phillips missed a team meeting and then was a no-show at practice Wednesday after a meeting with Coach Dick Vermeil.

Vermeil said he doesn’t know if Phillips will play again this year and plans on starting Jerald Moore Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.

Vermeil said he didn’t think his meeting with Phillips early Wednesday was a big deal.

Phillips also walked out of several team meetings last year, when Rich Brooks was the coach.

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Cincinnati Coach Bruce Coslet announced that Boomer Esiason will start against Jacksonville on Sunday. . . . Quarterback Drew Bledsoe and two New England teammates who jumped off a nightclub stage during a rock concert won’t be charged in connection with the injury of a woman in the crowd. . . . The New Orleans Saints put quarterback Heath Shuler on injured reserve because of turf toe and signed Billy Joe Hobert, who was cut by Buffalo in October. . . . Washington wide receiver Leslie Shepherd is out for the season after suffering a broken wrist in Sunday’s loss to Dallas. Tight end Dave Frisch was signed to fill Shepherd’s roster spot and Henry Ellard will replace him in the starting lineup.