Cards activate RB Wells; Lindley named QB

The Arizona Cardinals have activated Beanie Wells from the NFL's new injured/designated to return list, clearing the way for the running back to play Sunday against St. Louis.

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Arizona Cardinals have activated Beanie Wells from the NFL's new injured/designated to return list, clearing the way for the running back to play Sunday against St. Louis.

If Wells plays on Sunday he'll be getting handoffs from quarterback Ryan Lindley. Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt said Wednesday that he has decided to start Lindley, who relieved an ineffective John Skelton last Sunday, against the Rams.

Skelton says he is "frustrated" with the situation. Lindley is the third player this year to start at quarterback for the Cardinals, who have lost six straight after starting the season 4-0.

Meanwhile, quarterback Kevin Kolb, out for four games with a rib injury, was able to participate in part of Monday's practice and says he is encouraged by his progress.

Wells has been sidelined since suffering a severe turf toe injury against Philadelphia in Week 3. The league's new injured/designated to return list required Wells to be inactive for eight weeks, which meant that he missed seven games. He returned to practice last week.

Wells' return will be a boost to a running game that ranks 30th out of 32 NFL teams. The time off also allowed Wells to rest his surgically repaired knee, which was still bothering him at the time of the toe injury.

To make room on the roster, the Cardinals released linebacker Jamaal Westerman.

Information from ESPN.com's John Clayton and The Associated Press was used in this report.