Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is missing his second game of the season today in concussion protocol. Now, with the Rams at 3-7 coming into today with seven games left in the season, there are some questions on how to handle the 34-year-oldβs health for the rest of the year.
Staffordβs first missed game due to a concussion a couple weeks ago was the result of Stafford self-reporting symptoms following the teamβs Week 9 loss to the Buccaneers. He was placed in concussion protocols and sat out the division contest against the Cardinals the next week.
This time, Stafford was experiencing what are called crossover symptoms that could seem like a concussion but may not be. In the teamβs recent loss to the Saints last weekend, Stafford was pulled from the game when he experienced a stinger to his neck. He began to feel numbness in his legs, which can be a sign of head or neck injury, and since the Rams were not able to rule out a concussion during the game, Stafford was held out and placed in concussion protocol.
Looking at the Ramsβ plans for the remainder of the season, we begin to get conflicting reports. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network claims that multiple sources have said βthere are no current plans to shut down Stafford for the remainder of the season.β In another report, the Rams reportedly βare uncertain when or if (Stafford) will return this season,β according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Rapoport claims that, despite the teamβs record, Los Angeles hopes to return Stafford to the field when heβs cleared in order to perhaps make a push for a wild card spot down the final stretch of the season. Schefter doesnβt rule out that possibility but emphasizes that, similar to the injury to wide receiver Cooper Kupp, the Rams βfeel there is no need to rush back an injured player,β after losing four straight games and six of their last seven.
In the meantime, while they determine how to proceed, they are getting a look at their backup options. After John Wolford started during Staffordβs first absence, Bryce Perkins, who went undrafted out of Virginia in 2020, is currently playing in his first career start against the Chiefs today.
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