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LA Rams quarterback Jared Goff had surgery on his broken right thumb on Monday and is doubtful to play against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 17, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Goff finished the game against the Seattle Seahawks after popping back in his dislocated digit but it now seems as though the Rams will be without him as they fight for their postseason lives.
A win against the Cardinals would guarantee LA a trip to the playoffs, whereas a loss and a win by the Chicago Bears would keep the Rams out of the postseason for the second time in as many seasons.
Goff has started every game for the Rams since the team turned to Sean Mannion in the final regular season contest of 2017, as Sean McVay was resting starters for the playoffs. Mannion went 20 of 34 for 169 yards and one fumble lost as the San Francisco 49ers won 34-13. This time, McVay will be turning to the untested John Wolford, an undrafted free agent out of Wake Forest in 2018. Wolford was by many accounts the best quarterback in school history, but not much of an NFL prospect.
Wolford failed to make the New York Jets in 2018 and less than two years ago was a starting quarterback in the Alliance of American Football. He again failed to make it past final cuts but managed to stick on the practice squad this time.
The Rams opted not to bring in a single veteran option to compete at backup, instead virtually handing the job to Wolford immediately by only bringing in undrafted rookies Josh Love and Bryce Perkins as competition. That showed immense confidence in both Goff and Wolford by McVay.
For now it appears that the Rams will be turning to their backup quarterback and their third string running back as starting options against the Cardinals, because Darrell Henderson is also expected to be ruled out; he has a high ankle sprain. They might not be the only team on Sunday that is turning to the backup quarterback.
Arizona head coach Kliff Kingsbury is unsure that starter Kyler Murray will be able to play through a calf injury this week. The Cardinals must win or tie to have any chance at a wild card berth.