Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford’s status has been closely monitored over the first two days of preparation to face the Chicago Bears in the Divisional Playoffs.
Stafford, for his part, has been consistent. He has insisted that the sprained finger he sustained in the Rams’ Wild Card win over the Carolina Panthers. Stafford was also adamant that it would not be an issue for him going forward, which LA hopes is all the way to the Super Bowl.
He has backed up his comments so far.
Matthew Stafford Showing Encouraging Signs for Rams
GettyMatthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on following the NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Carolina Panthers.
Stafford injured his finger in the first half of last week’s tilt against the Panthers, and he hit it multiple times after the break. He previously said that he had no plans to wear additional protective gear, either.
That is in addition to donning a “scuba suit” to help manage the frigid temperatures expected in Chicago for the game.
The finger was the most concerning issue, though, and Stafford’s words have proven accurate.
The Rams listed Stafford among the 10 players who were afflicted by something in practice on Thursday. Stafford was one of eight players who practiced in full, and one of five to log back-to-back full sessions.
Joining Stafford with that honor were cornerback Josh Wallace (ankle), safety Quentin Lake (foot), tight end Terrance Ferguson (hamstring), and wide receiver Xavier Smith (wrist).
WR Jordan Whittington (knee) did too, but he was added to the report on Thursday.
Ferguson and Wallace both missed the Panthers game. CB Darious Williams (NIR-personal), who also missed the win over Carolina, and defensive tackle Poona Ford (elbow) both upgraded to full sessions.
In another encouraging development for Stafford and the Rams, starting right guard Kevin Dotson–another absentee in Carolina–practiced in a limited fashion for a second straight day.
There was some cause for concern on the day in the Rams’ QB room around Stafford.
Rams QB Room Facing Obstacle
GettyJimmy Garoppolo #11 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up before the game against the Tennessee Titans.
Stafford is still trending in the right direction, but the Rams are not out of the woods just yet. They listed backup Jimmy Garoppolo as a non-participant due to a back injury. That is a noteworthy step backward for the 12th-year veteran QB.
Garoppolo stepped in for Stafford while the latter was sidelined due to a back injury during the offseason.
Garoppolo has one more session to get back on the field.
If Garoppolo is forced to miss Sunday’s showdown against the Bears, the Rams will turn to 2023 fourth-round draft pick Stetson Bennett IV behind Stafford on game day. Notably, the Rams do not have any other quarterbacks on their 53-man roster or practice squad.
The lack of a transaction at the position could indicate the Rams are taking precautionary measures with Garoppolo and still expect him to be available for the game.
Both teams will issue their final injury reports on Friday afternoon.
Bears Holding Steady
GettyMatthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on during a game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Stafford and the Rams will face a Bears team that is relatively healthy–save for the number of players they have lost to season-ending injuries–heading into their Divisional Playoff matchup on Sunday.
Chicago listed eight players on their first two injury reports of the week, including three starters.
Two of those starters–wideouts DJ Moore and Rome Odunze–remained limited for the second consecutive day. Backup corner Nick McCloud was the only DNP on both days.
The Rams are 3.5-point road favorites despite the commotion around Stafford’s finger and their being the visiting team against the NFC’s No. 2-seeded Bears, per Vegas Insider on January 15. None of that will matter if Stafford and the Rams do not play up to their level of expectations.
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