Stafford ruled out of game against Seahawks on Sunday
THOUSAND OAKS >> Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford cleared concussion protocol Friday morning but has been officially ruled out for Sunday's home game against the Seattle Seahawks because of a neck injury.
Despite not being diagnosed with his second concussion in two weeks, Stafford was placed in the protocol after experiencing numbness in his legs during the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 20.
Stafford, who sustained a concussion in Week 9 against the Tampa Buccaneers, will miss his third game of the season Sunday.
Rams coach Sean McVay said “we'll see” when asked about Stafford's playing status for Thursday night against the Las Vegas Raiders.
“It's definitely a relief because I think that's positive that he's out of that protocol, so that's one of those steps that you feel good about and then continuing to gather the appropriate information,” McVay said. “How long is the (recovery for the) neck thing? What exactly is it? It's not something that I've been communicated that it's anything that you worry about in terms of the long term as it leads to next year and things like that.
“What we've got to figure out with six games remaining: How much is he going to be available and what's the best step for him?”
On Sunday, John Wolford will get the start over Bryce Perkins to fill in for Stafford against the Seahawks.
Now Stafford, his family and the team will need to figure out if it's worth coming back with the Rams at 3-8 and out of the playoff picture.
“We're gonna continue to gather that appropriate information and then make the best decision for Matthew and his family … and then we'll see what that means for the remainder of the year,” McVay said.
Why Wolford?
McVay said he favored Wolford over Perkins because of experience. Each backup has had a start this season and neither had much success.
“Really just an opportunity to see if (Wolford) can build on some of the things that he's done,” McVay said. “He's got a little bit more experience with it. In some instances, we just felt like he might give us a little bit better chance to operate, but that's not an indictment on Bryce by any stretch.”
Wolford, a five-year veteran, has three career starts, including in Week 10 against the Arizona Cardinals. Perkins, a threeyear veteran, received his first career start last week against the Kansas City Chiefs.
McVay mentioned that Perkins could see some snaps Sunday, similar to the share he saw during Wolford's start against the Cardinals.
“John's got just a little bit more experience,” McVay said. “I think they both bring some similar traits to the table, as far as what you can do with them, but there's a chance that you can see Bryce in this game as well.”
Perkins offers more athleticism than Wolford, but Perkins struggled to make plays with his arm in last week's loss against the Chiefs. Wolford might be the better thrower, but he struggled against Arizona's pressure and was hit 12 times and sustained a neck injury during the loss, which made him unavailable against the Saints.
“We're really good friends,” Perkins said about Wolford. “I want him to succeed just as bad, because I know none of us are selfish in that (quarterbacks) room. That's why it makes it a great room.”
More injury updates
Rams outside linebacker Terrell Lewis was ruled out against the Seahawks because of a back injury.
Center Brian Allen (thumb), cornerback Troy Hill (groin) and inside linebacker Ernest Jones (back) were listed as questionable.
Left tackle Ty Nsekhe is also a game-time decision, but McVay expressed optimism about him playing against the Seahawks.