Chiefs rough up Rams

The NFL’s highest-scoring offense is clicking. Pressure is sure to increase on Kansas City’s woeful defense to get its act together, too.

Trent Green hit 10 of 12 passes, and Priest Holmes averaged 5.2 yards on six carries Monday night as the first-team offense scored on two of its three possessions in a 24-7 exhibition victory over the St. Louis Rams in Kansas City, Mo.

The offensive starters, who led the NFL in scoring each of the past two years, also scored on two of their three possessions against the New York Giants last week in their preseason opener.

“I thought offensively we played very well,” said Green, who finished with 94 passing yards. “It was good to see a good mix of run with the pass.”

Adding to a bad night for the Rams (0-2) was starting cornerback Travis Fisher’s broken arm.

Fisher, who tied for the team lead last year with four interceptions, was injured in the first half. He also tied for the NFL lead with 205 yards in interception returns in 2003.

Holmes had 31 yards on six carries and scored on a 2-yard run for a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.

On the Chiefs’ third possession, Derrick Blaylock scored on a 1-yard dart around right tackle. Larry Johnson set up the TD with a 14-yard run after bumping into Green and nearly fumbling the handoff.

The Chiefs’ defense, which finished 29th in the league last year and has undergone a drastic scheme change under new coordinator Gunther Cunningham, shut out the Rams’ regulars and even got involved in the scoring.

“I’m very pleased for our defense,” Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil said. “We’ve made some progress.”

With 1:07 left in the half, linebacker Shawn Barber stepped in front of Arlen Harris, intercepted Marc Bulger’s pass and returned it 60 yards for the touchdown, putting the Chiefs (1-1) up 24-0.

Bulger was 8 for 15 for 67 yards and got sacked three times behind the Rams’ patchwork offensive line. Marshall Faulk, playing more than normal this early in the preseason, carried six times for 16 yards.

Faulk’s understudy, first-round draft pick Steven Jackson of Oregon State, scored on a 6-yard run with 7:29 left in the third quarter.

Chargers finally sign Rivers

Rookie quarterback Phillip Rivers ended his lengthy holdout, signing a six-year contract with the San Diego Chargers.

Rivers, taken by the New York Giants with the No. 4 pick in this year’s draft, was acquired by Chargers in the deal that sent quarterback Eli Manning to New York. Manning was selected by San Diego with the No. 1 overall pick.

Rivers missed four weeks of training camp and two preseason games.

Chargers spokesman Scott Yoffe did not disclose terms of the deal.

Henry may not play Saturday

Running back Willis McGahee could get his chance to be the Buffalo Bills starter sooner than anticipated.

Travis Henry is listed as day to day with bruised ribs after missing practice Monday. That opens the door for McGahee to make his first NFL start in Buffalo’s preseason game at Indianapolis on Saturday.

While Henry’s injury is not described as severe, coach Mike Mularkey said he could keep him from playing as a precaution.

“It’s not official, but I’m not going to push him to play if there’s any pain at all,” Mularkey said. “I’d maybe have a different answer if we were in the regular season. But I’m not going to push that right now. It’s just to get him back full strength.”

Henry was hurt 10 minutes into the second quarter of Buffalo’s 16-15 loss to Tennessee Saturday, when he was knocked to the ground by linebacker Keith Bulluck.

Jets interested in Carter

Former Cowboys quarterback Quincy Carter, released six days into training camp amid allegations he violated the league’s substance-abuse policy, flew to New York and is expected to meet with members of the Jets coaching staff and front office today, a source close to the negotiations said.

The source said the Jets spent a portion of Monday negotiating a one-year deal with Carter’s agent, Eugene Parker. Carter could not be reached for comment.

Chad Pennington, a former No. 1 pick, is the Jets’ starter, but there is competition for the backup job.

Levens back with Eagles

Dorsey Levens returned to the Philadelphia Eagles when the running back signed a one-year deal after a rough season with the New York Giants.

The 34-year-old Levens spent last season, his 10th in the NFL, with the Giants and averaged a career-low 2.9 yards per carry. He gained just 197 yards on 68 carries.

Vick misses practice

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick missed practice because of tightness in his right hamstring.

Coach Jim Mora indicated Vick might return today and should be ready when Atlanta hosts the Cincinnati Bengals in an exhibition game Saturday night.

Around the league

Baltimore Ravens center Mike Flynn broke his right collarbone and is expected to miss six to eight weeks. … Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor will miss Friday’s game with the Green Bay Packers because of a strained foot, coach Jack Del Rio said.