With starter Sam Bradford nursing a high ankle sprain in his left ankle, A.J. Feeley stepped in and took the bulk of the repetitions at quarterback on Wednesday.

“(He handled it) really well,” coach Steve Spagnuolo said. “We had our walkthrough today; we got through those things pretty well. I thought A.J. operated pretty well; he got us in and out of checks. It was good to see. The guys didn’t skip a beat. I am sure they miss Sam in a certain way but again that’s why A.J. is here.”

Now in his second season with the Rams, it was really the first time since the 2010 preseason that Feeley got such a big chunk of work with the top offense. Bradford took every snap in the 2010 regular season and Feeley handled the clipboard the entire season.

But just because Feeley hasn’t done it in a while doesn’t mean he wasn’t ready for the task.

“It’s just the role you take on as a quarterback if you are not the No. 1 guy,” Feeley said. “Down the line you have to be ready for everything. My whole thing is preparation during the week and preparation when you are not playing if you do have to play. I have been doing it awhile.”

Nobody knows Feeley’s ability to come off the bench and play better than Spagnuolo.

Spagnuolo was with Feeley in Philadelphia after the Eagles drafted him in the 2001 NFL Draft. After spending most his first season as the third stringer, injuries befell the two signal callers ahead of him and Feeley was asked to step in and start the team’s final game of the 2001 regular season.

Feeley came off the bench and led the Eagles to a win against Tampa Bay in that game. Injuries hit again in the 2002 season and Feeley took over again, leading Philadelphia to wins in four of his five starts before giving the job back to Donovan McNabb for the playoffs.

“Oh yeah, A.J. will be ready,” Spagnuolo said. “We’ll be ready for any possible situation. That’s why A.J. is here and I’m glad we’ve got him. He’s been through this before in this same situation. I was actually with him on the same team in Philadelphia. He came out and played pretty good football, so we’ll expect the same.”

Of course, while Feeley has plenty of experience working in a backup role, he hasn’t done it in some time. In fact, Feeley’s last start came on Dec. 2, 2007 against Seattle.

“There’s been a few,” Feeley said, laughing. “That’s kind of the role you put yourself in when you are a backup quarterback. You’ve got to be ready for anything. Hopefully Sam is ready to go on Sunday. If not, I’ll get a little work during the week and familiarize myself with the offense some more and be ready to go if called upon.”

Feeley hasn’t played much since that 2007 start though he made an appearance in relief of Bradford in week 1.

While Feeley hopes all is well with Bradford and it will likely take something big to keep Bradford from playing in a game that is essentially a homecoming for him in Dallas, Feeley does acknowledge that the opportunity to get back on the field would get the juices flowing a bit.

“Everybody wants to play,” Feeley said. “If you don’t want to play, you probably shouldn’t be playing the game. Everybody has got a role on the team. I try to assume my role. But do I want to play? Yeah. I enjoy playing the game and I want to get better and light that fire. Under the circumstances, were I called upon to play then yeah I am definitely excited about it. Not at the result of the other guy getting hurt, though.”

Bradford was held out of Wednesday’s practice and his status will continue to be day to day the rest of the week.

“I don’t know what to think on that right now,” Spagnuolo said. “I don’t venture to take any guesses on high ankle sprains. I have seen them go all different ways so I don’t know.”

GORDY’S DEBUT: Cornerback Josh Gordy got his first opportunity to play more than special teams in the NFL and with the Rams last week against his former team, Green Bay.

Gordy played in the nickel package as the team’s third cornerback, coming in when the Packers brought out three or four receiver sets. Gordy played mostly on the outside with Justin King kicking inside to the slot.

According to Spagnuolo, Gordy fared pretty well in his first opportunity.

“Pretty solid,” Spagnuolo said. “There were a couple things here and there, but for his first time out, in that situation against that receiver corps…we asked him to play it a certain way and he did. I thought he was pretty solid.”

RETURN DECISIONS: For the past couple of games, the Rams have kept running back/returner Jerious Norwood inactive and given the opportunity to fellow back Quinn Porter.

The decision hasn’t been easy but since both players are used primarily on special teams, Spagnuolo said it’s a matter of the quantity and quality of Porter’s performance beyond just as a returner and not a function of Norwood’s returning from injury.

“No, he’s fine and he’s been a great team player,” Spagnuolo said. “It’s more of this; Quinn Porter plays more special teams positions than Jerious does. Quinn, yesterday was our most productive special teams player with a tackle, a forced tackle. He had the pooch punt. He’s doing some really good things on some of the coverage units. I think Jerious understands that. Quinn, I know, can do a little bit better at the return part of it, but that’s really more.”

INJURY REPORT: In addition to Bradford, only defensive end C.J. Ah You did not practice Wednesday.

Ah You has an infection in his hand area from his surgery.

“I think we’re OK,” Spagnuolo said. “They just took the pins out a little bit earlier. Now we just kind of have to let it sit for a little bit.”

Of note on the Dallas injury report: running back Felix Jones (ankle) and defensive end DeMarcus Ware (back) did not practice.

BEST OF LUCK: Spagnuolo spoke with Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa early Wednesday morning as the Cardinals prepare to begin the World Series tonight against Texas at Busch Stadium.

“He’s good,” Spagnuolo said. “He’s getting ready. He’s getting his game face on.”

When asked if he offered LaRussa any advice, Spagnuolo said it was quite the opposite.

“No, I didn’t go there,” Spagnuolo said, laughing. “I was asking him for advice. He’s in the World Series. We’re trying to win a game.”