By Tony Moss, NFL Editor

(Sports Network) - The St. Louis Rams will try to distance themselves from a shaky preseason opener on Saturday night, when they play host to the San Diego Chargers in the second August warm-up for each team.

The Rams, led by embattled head coach Scott Linehan, were 34-13 losers in their preseason opener at the Tennessee Titans last Saturday night. St. Louis allowed 495 yards of total offense to the Titans - the highest total in the league during week 1 of the preseason - and their 34 points surrendered were tied for the highest mark in the NFL.

The team, which finished 3-13 a year ago, allowed a whopping 340 rushing yards in the loss.

Offensively, the Rams were without star running back Steven Jackson, who has not reported to training camp due to a contract dispute. Jackson is not expected to be in attendance on Saturday, meaning Antonio Pittman, Travis Minor, and Brian Leonard figure to do a bulk of the running.

Pittman led St. Louis with 21 yards on six carries last week.

Quarterback Marc Bulger, who could see more extensive time on Saturday, was 3- of-9 for 29 yards against the Titans, including an interception that was returned for a touchdown by linebacker Keith Bulluck.

Making his Edward Jones Dome debut on Saturday will be No. 2 overall draft pick and defensive end Chris Long (Virginia), who did not have a tackle or sack in last Saturday's loss.

While the Rams were struggling in their preseason lid-lifter, the Chargers were looking much sharper in a 31-17 win over the Cowboys.

Quarterback Philip Rivers was a crisp 5-of-6 for 54 yards during his brief time in the lineup, and rookie running backs Jacob Hester and Marcus Thomas combined for 97 yards on 26 ground carries. Hester, a third-round pick out of LSU, also scored a pair of touchdowns in the victory.

Starting running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who rarely plays in the preseason, is not expected to suit up for precautionary reasons against the Rams.

On the injury front for the Bolts, tight end Antonio Gates (toe) remains out, and wideout Vincent Jackson (hamstring) and linebacker Shawne Merriman (knee) appear unlikely to play, but starting fullback Andrew Pinnock (knee) has a chance to see his first action of the preseason on Saturday.

The Chargers lead the all-time preseason series with the Rams, 18-17, with San Diego breaking a deadlock in the series by virtue of a 30-13 road win prior to the 2007 campaign.