THOUSAND OAKS, Calif .– Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff underwent surgery on Monday to stabilize a broken right thumb. According to coach Sean McVay, he will have to take a break in the 17th week against the Arizona Cardinals.
“We felt this would be the best for him and our team,” McVay said on Monday, adding that Goff had put some screws in and that he could return for the postseason if the Rams advance.
With a playoff spot at stake, the Rams will turn to backup quarterback John Wolford, who has never appeared in an NFL game since leaving Wake Forest in 2018.
To secure a spot in the playoffs, the Rams (9-6), who lost two games in a row for the first time this season, must beat the Cardinals (8-7) at SoFi Stadium or the Green Bay Packers (12-3) defeated the Bears (8-7) in Chicago.
According to McVay, the Rams are also in the process of signing quarterback Blake Bortles of the Denver Broncos training team to add depth. Bortles served as Goff’s replacement last season, and his knowledge of the Rams’ offense could be a great option for Wolford.
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McVay also left open the possibility that Bryce Perkins, an uncovered rookie on the training team, could be promoted to the active squad. Quarterback won’t be the only position lacking in experience as the Rams attempt a playoff push on Sunday. The retreating corps was also recently injured.
Lead rusher Darrell Henderson Jr. suffered an ankle sprain in their 9-20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday and is being transferred to an injured reserve, McVay said. And while McVay has expressed optimism about breakout rookie Cam Akers’ recovery from an ankle sprain in Week 15, it is uncertain whether he will return on Sunday.
“He’s made really big progress,” McVay said of Akers, who continued to play in the 23:20 loss to the Jets in the second quarter despite an ankle injury. “He’s a tough guy physically.”
If Akers can’t play, Malcolm Brown will be the only seasoned defender. Rookies Xavier Jones and Raymond Calais are expected to be fielded as needed after serving exclusively on specialty teams this season.
“Guys are being asked to report,” McVay said.
Goff was pushing against the Seahawks in the final seconds of the third quarter, breaking his thumb when his throwing hand collided with the helmet of defensive end Benson Mayowa. Goff put his thumb back in his pocket and stayed in the game. After the injury, he completed 6 of 14 passes for 74 yards.
He finished the game on Sunday 24:43 for 234 yards with an interception as the Rams only scored an offensive touchdown for the fifth time (including Super Bowl LIII) since McVay took over as coach in 2017.
As a fifth year professional, Goff has never missed a game since he was promoted to starter with seven games in his rookie season (Goff didn’t play in week 17 in 2017 when McVay rested the starters with a playoff spot).
McVay said Goff’s operation could allow him to get back to the playoffs in time “possibly in a week”.
“It’s not significant enough to keep you away for long periods of time,” McVay said. “It’s more just about stabilizing the thing.”
The Rams went into the season without re-signing Bortles, who signed a one-year deal last season, or signing an experienced backup as they trusted Wolford, who was on the training team in 2019.
“What he showed with the opportunities, be it preseason, re-competition in action – all of those things you rate just for every single thing he does, made us feel good,” said McVay. “Really, it was a reflection of confidence in John.”
The Rams signed Wolford after playing eight games for the Arizona Hotshots of the since-folded Alliance of American Football. Wolford was twice attacking player of the week and led the league with 14 touchdowns.
“John did a great job all year if you watch and know how he worked on it,” said McVay. “I know coaches, his team-mates and his boys have confidence, but we appreciate the opportunity for John to lead the offensive this week.”
