ST. LOUIS (AP) - St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson ended his holdout on Wednesday while his agent continues negotiations for a new contract.

Jackson, the centerpiece of the team's offense, is entering the final year of a deal he signed as a first-round pick in 2004.

The Rams cut off negotiations in late July on the first day of training camp after Jackson's agent turned down a deal the team said would have put Jackson in the top echelon at his position, saying there would be no further talks until the running back reported.

"This is certainly a step in the right direction," coach Scott Linehan said. "We're hoping we can get this thing squared away real quickly."

Jackson will undergo a physical exam Thursday morning but is unlikely to make it onto the practice field that day with the Rams practicing at 10:30 a.m.