LA Rams QB Matthew Stafford in concussion protocol

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is in the concussion protocol, and coach Sean McVay is unsure whether or not the Super Bowl winner will be ready to participate in Sunday in opposition to Arizona.

Stafford entered the protocol Tuesday afternoon just after consultation with the Rams’ healthcare employees, the group declared Wednesday. The Rams imagine Stafford’s situation resulted from motion in previous Sunday’s 16-13 loss at Tampa Bay, and the staff determined to put him in the protocol just after the typical weekly spherical of postgame overall health evaluations.

“Nobody desires to be out there much more than Matthew Stafford,” McVay claimed. “Nobody is a increased competitor, harder, that I have ever been close to. Even so, it was in conditions of some of the concerns that have been requested (to Stafford soon after the match) in conditions of finding to this issue.”

Stafford has been just one of the NFL’s most resilient quarterbacks for most of his expert career, but he has been sacked 28 situations this year — just two less than in all 17 online games previous period — even though taking part in guiding a generally awful offensive line that has utilized 8 diverse commencing mixtures in 8 weeks of motion. Stafford was sacked four situations last weekend by the Buccaneers, who had been credited with eight quarterback hits.

Stafford’s spouse, Kelly, reacted to the news with a submit on the Instagram account of her podcast.

“The head is not a thing to be messed with,” Kelly Stafford wrote. “And I hope as this sport develops so does the worry for head health and the study all over it. And no, I’m not ok. I have every emotion operating as a result of me. Anxious, offended, unfortunate, tired … all of them.”

John Wolford, a Rams backup considering the fact that 2019, is likely to get started from the Cardinals at SoFi Stadium if Stafford are unable to go.

“(We’re) nevertheless anticipating and owning the optimistic tactic that there’s a chance that (Stafford) will be prepared to go,” McVay explained. “John has been our backup, but the actuality is we’ll take it a working day at a time.”

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Stafford has skipped only eight online games over the past 12 seasons, and all eight happened in 2019 with Detroit since of a midseason again harm.

Stafford has not but skipped any of his initial 29 games with the Rams, including four playoff contests very last year. Following leading Los Angeles to a championship in his first season, he has passed for 1,928 yards and 8 touchdowns with 8 interceptions this year while completing a career-large 68.4% of his throws.

“You set the precedence in which it is about the human being 1st,” McVay said. “This is so vital, but when you feel about it in the significant image, it’s a short-term minute in time. He’s bought a lovely relatives, spouse, 4 daughters, there’s a lot of other obligations that these men have.”

Wolford has been on the Rams’ roster for four seasons, and he has served as the top backup to Jared Goff and to Stafford through the previous three years. Wolford manufactured his NFL debut by starting the last common-period match of the 2020 year when Goff was sidelined by a broken thumb, and he led the Rams to an 18-7 victory.

“It was a major sport,” Wolford mentioned Wednesday. “Of course, as an undrafted participant, these video games signify a good deal. I was just happy we have been equipped to get a acquire, get in the playoffs. But it was my very first career start, and it was a very good one particular, a excellent memory.”

Wolford then started off the Rams’ playoff recreation at Seattle, but hurt his neck in the first quarter. He performed only in mop-up obligation last season, and he has however to play this yr.

“John is a person that when he’s been in these scenarios, he’s stepped in and carried out a seriously great occupation,” McVay stated. “Wasn’t as well extended ago that he experienced to occur in a sport that we had to have to get into the playoffs, and he carried out incredibly properly.”

If the Rams have to roll with Wolford driving center as they endeavor to stop the year from slipping away, they say they’ll be self-confident.

“I noticed (Wolford) a few times in Seattle, so we know what he’s able of,” reported Rams linebacker Bobby Wagner, who expended his to start with NFL 10 years with the Seahawks. “He came down and did a ton of good factors against us when I was down there. We have self esteem in him that if he has to, he’ll be in a position to move up and make performs.”

Los Angeles has misplaced 4 of its past five video games to drop two video games down below .500 for the initially time in McVay’s coaching profession. The Rams’ offense is a person of the NFL’s worst so considerably this time, with a nonexistent operating sport driving that patchwork offensive line and a pronounced deficiency of sport-transforming offensive expertise driving All-Professional receiver Cooper Kupp.

It could get even worse: Starting left tackle Alaric Jackson and heart Brian Allen skipped the Rams’ work out Wednesday to rest knee accidents, although McVay hopes each will play Sunday.

The Rams also designated inside offensive lineman Coleman Shelton to return to practice Wednesday immediately after a five-week absence with a significant ankle sprain. McVay mentioned Shelton, who has started off at correct guard and center this season, is very likely to rejoin the lineup right away if he’s completely ready.

Rookie operating back Kyren Williams is anticipated to make his NFL debut Sunday if he stays on class in his recovery from an ankle injuries. The Notre Dame solution was selected to return from injured reserve on Oct. 26.

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