Jackson

ST. LOUIS — St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson is on the verge of a milestone.

Just 34 more yards rushing, and he will become the seventh player in NFL history to gain 1,000 yards in seven or more consecutive seasons. Only Emmitt Smith, Barry Sanders, Curtis Martin, Thurman Thomas, Eric Dickerson and LaDainian Tomlinson have done it.

He’s well aware of that elite club, and identified with Thomas as a kid because both had a single bar on the helmet.

“How much do I know about them? I have their trading cards,” Jackson said.

If he gets there on Saturday at Pittsburgh, it probably won’t be off handoffs from Sam Bradford.

Bradford hasn’t practiced the last two weeks and is likely to miss his second straight game and fourth overall with a high left ankle sprain, leaving newcomer Kellen Clemens a virtual lock to get the call against the Steelers. Jackson implied he might have a higher pain threshold, noting he played hurt without practicing at the end of the 2009 season with an injury that required surgery.

“I played with a herniated disk for six games,” Jackson said. “I don’t think I’m the right guy to ask about medical opinions on when to pull yourself out.”

Bradford reiterated his desire Tuesday to play, if possible, instead of finishing the season on injured reserve. Jackson missed the Rams’ Monday night loss to the Giants in Week 2, so he can relate to his quarterback.