St. Louis, MO (Best E Casino) - The St. Louis Rams signed running back Steven Jackson to a six-year contract on Thursday.

Jackson arrived in St. Louis on Thursday morning, ending his lengthy holdout as his agent and the club ironed out the details on the new contract. The team did not specify financial terms, but a story on the team's web site said the contract will make Jackson one of the highest paid running backs in the league.

"Steven is one of the premier NFL players and eventually could be considered one of the best to ever play the running back position," said Rams coach Scott Linehan. "Steven is young and coming into his prime. We look forward to his enjoying a long and productive career with the Rams."

It is unclear if the Rams will make Jackson pay the $408,132 in fines he owes after missing 27 days of practice, including all of training camp at Concordia University. Jackson has missed both preseason games and will likely miss Saturday's exhibition against Baltimore.

The 25-year-old is entering his fifth season in the league, all spent in St. Louis. He rushed for 1,002 yards on 237 carries with five scores and had 38 catches for 271 yards and a touchdown in 12 games of an injury-plagued 2007 campaign.

The Oregon State product earned a spot in the Pro Bowl in 2006 after rushing for 1,528 yards with 13 touchdowns and adding 806 yards on 90 receptions with three more scores.