Steven Jackson was among several key starters who missed practice Wednesday when the Rams began preparing for Sunday’s game against the Bears.

Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo was hopeful that Jackson would practice Thursday, although he said the team will “tread lightly” with the running back, who’s in a similar position to last week when he was held out of practice all week but was able to play against the Seahawks, gaining 116 total yards with a touchdown.

“I’m a little different. I think everyone needs to practice,” Spaguolo said. “But we’re not going to do it at the expense of him being sore or worse off. Really, with Steven, it’s about getting his body right.”

The Rams also held out  C Jason Brown (knee), OT Jason Smith (concussion) and FB Mike Karney (neck), while G Richie Incognito (foot) and rookie LB James Laurinaitis (shoulder) took part in a limited portion of practice.

Brown was held out at the advice of team doctors, but Spagnuolo also was hopeful that the lineman would practice Thursday. Brown is still feeling the effects of a sprained knee and won’t undergo any further testing until he feels like he’s ready to play. The feeling also is optimistic toward Incognito, whom Spagnuolo said should play barring a setback to the injury that has caused him to miss the last four games.

With starting QB Marc Bulger sidelined by a knee injury, Kyle Boller took the first-team repetitions Wednesday.

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