By Tony Moss, NFL Editor -- (Sports Network) - Troy Smith has a strong chance to wrap up starting quarterback duties on Saturday night, when he and the Baltimore Ravens visit the Edward Jones Dome for a preseason matchup with the St. Louis Rams.

Smith, the 2006 Heisman Trophy Winner and a two-game starter for the Ravens at the end of last season, has been locked into a competition with veteran Kyle Boller for No. 1 signal-caller duties throughout the preseason.

While Boller started Baltimore's first preseason game, Smith will open his second consecutive contest on Saturday, and head coach John Harbaugh's decision to go with him against the Rams is seen as an endorsement of the second-year-pro.

Smith has completed just 8-of-17 passes for 99 yards with an interception in the preseason to date, but his 41 rushing yards are second on the team behind only Ray Rice's 89.

Boller, who might not play at all on Saturday, is 19-of-27 for 142 yards in two preseason outings, but has also committed three turnovers (two interceptions, one fumble) to hurt his case.

On the injury front for Baltimore, running back Willis McGahee (knee), tight end Todd Heap (calf), safety Ed Reed (shoulder), and tackle Jared Gaither (ankle) are among the notables not expected to be in uniform against St. Louis.

The big story for the Rams this week has been the long-overdue appearance of running back Steven Jackson at training camp, though Jackson is not expected to make his first appearance of the preseason on Saturday. The three-time 1,000-yard rusher, who had been embroiled in a contract dispute with the club, was expected to ink a new deal as early as Thursday.

Without Jackson in the lineup, the Rams offense has struggled, with the first- unit not managing a touchdown in its first two preseason games,

In last week's 7-6 win over the San Diego Chargers, St. Louis starting quarterback Marc Bulger was 7-of-14 passing for 56 yards with two interceptions before departing.

Likely to be on hand to assist Bulger this week will be rookie wideout Donnie Avery, the first receiver taken in the April Draft. Avery had been dealing with a broken pelvic bone.

Among the questionable Rams on Saturday night are tackle Orlando Pace (shoulder), safety Oshiomogho Atogwe (hamstring), cornerback Fakhir Brown (shoulder), safety Jerome Carter (groin), and running back Brian Leonard (shoulder).

The Ravens and Rams most recently squared off last Oct. 14 in Baltimore, with the Ravens scoring a 22-3 victory.

Saturday will mark the first meeting between the franchises in preseason play.