The Los Angeles Rams have been able to operate with confidence that Matthew Stafford would be available to face the Chicago Bears in the NFC Divisional Playoffs, despite his sprained right index finger, but his supporting cast was less certain.
Stafford spoke on his status and then backed up his comments by practicing all week with the injury, saying he would take no additional precautions to protect himself then or in the game.
Still, the week revealed even more encouraging developments for Stafford and the Rams.
Rams Deliver Good News for Matthew Stafford
GettyMatthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on during a game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Stafford practiced in full all week for the Rams. Meanwhile, teammate and Rams starting right guard Kevin Dotson was a limited participant, but also got in work every day during the week of preparation.
Dotson had been sidelined since injuring his ankle during the Rams’ loss to the Seattle Seahawks on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 16.
Rams head coach Sean McVay told reporters that Dotson is cleared to return for Sunday’s tilt.
“Rams RG Kevin Dotson WILL play and start Sunday in Chicago,” The Athletic’s Nate Atkins reported on X in reaction to the impactful announcement. “A big boost for the run game and pass pro.”
Stafford expressed his appreciation for Dotson this past week, touting the “mountain of a man” as a “beast” and “one of the best guards, if not the best” on the field this season.
“If we can get him back, obviously, that would be a huge boost. His physicality, his ability to go out there and play is great,” Stafford told reporters on January 14. “The energy he brings. I don’t know if you guys see him celebrating sometimes when we do get stuff. So, he’s a great guy to have out there and be around.”
Stafford is still without starting right tackle Rob Havenstein.
Havenstein remains on injured reserve with Warren McClendon replacing him in the Rams’ starting lineup.
Rams QB Room Gets Encouraging Update
GettyJimmy Garoppolo #11 and Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams before a game against the Dallas Cowboys.
The good news continued for Stafford and, even more, for the Rams as a whole, with Atkins also reporting that “Los Angeles isn’t ruling anyone out for the game. Jimmy Garoppolo had his back flare up and they gave him yesterday’s practice off to be precautionary.”
Notably, Stafford dealt with a back injury during the offseason that sidelined him during training camp and the preseason.
Getting Garoppolo back in time for game day is not a small deal.
The Rams’ only other quarterback on the roster is 2023 fourth-round draft pick Stetson Bennett IV, who has never taken a snap during the regular season. Meanwhile, Garoppolo is a two-time Super Bowl champion, albeit as a backup.
He has also started 64 of the 85 regular-season games and 15 of the 17 playoff games he has played in during his career.
Garoppolo led the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl in 2019.
The Rams would be in safer hands with Garoppolo as opposed to Bennett if Stafford is forced from Sunday’s game at any point. Again, though, Stafford has consistently asserted that he is healthy since suffering the injury.
Bears Rule Out 1 Player, 2 Others Questionable
GettyRome Odunze #15 of the Chicago Bears looks on during a game against the Detroit Lions.
Like Stafford and the Rams, the Bears are fairly healthy entering this contest. Chicago ruled out one player, and it is a backup, cornerback Nick McCloud.
Bears starting wide receiver Rome Odunze and backup linebacker and special teamer Jalen Reeves-Maybin are both questionable.
The Bears cleared starting wideout DJ Moore and nickelback C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Stafford and the Rams are road favorites for this game, despite losing to this team with many of the same players last year during the regular season, and LA’s franchise QB’s track record in cold weather.
Matthew Stafford Gets Good News Before Rams-Bears Divisional Playoff Game