When the Los Angeles Rams take on the Kansas City Chiefs this weekend, it won’t be a showdown between Matthew Stafford and Patrick Mahomes. Instead, Mahomes will be going head-to-head against Bryce Perkins, who is starting at quarterback for the Rams.
Earlier in the day Wednesday, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported that Perkins would be taking first-team rep for the Rams in practice under the assumption that he could play if Stafford and backup John Wolford were unable to go due to injuries.
The #Rams are expected to give young QB Bryce Perkins first-team reps this week, per me and @TomPelissero, paving the way for a potential start given injuries to starter Matthew Stafford and John Wolford. This would be the first start for the former UDFA from Virginia. pic.twitter.com/6b3Tfenw54
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 23, 2022
Both other quarterbacks are dealing with neck injuries, which meant that the team was considering looking to the undrafted free agent out of Virginia for his first NFL start.
Later on Wednesday, Rapoport confirmed that Stafford will not play and that Perkins is getting the start.
Matthew Stafford has been ruled out for Sunday. https://t.co/O2nHBUaixB
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 23, 2022
The 25-year-old played in last Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints, going 6-of-11 for 61 yards.
Unfortunately for Stafford, it sounds like it’s entirely possible that the Rams could shut him down for the season after he entered concussion protocol, though the team is referring to it as a “neck issue.”
McVay said as of now, Stafford is not feeling that numbness.
Rams will "take a week at a time"; McVay does not rule out shutting Stafford down for rest of year.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) November 23, 2022
Perkins has been with the Rams since 2020 when he signed as a UDFA. He did not play in his first two seasons with the team, shifting back and forth from the practice squad to the active roster.
The NFL world had some strong reactions to the news that Perkins would get his first NFL start on Sunday.
Who? https://t.co/oDOk5uiIGN pic.twitter.com/U2gARyzdyB
— Angie Petty 💅🏾🌸💄 (@AngiPrettyPetty) November 23, 2022
Chiefs by 30. https://t.co/p6SkkJ7nxC
— John Canton (TJRWrestling) (@johnreport) November 23, 2022
I am 100% certain Bryce Perkins will impress and eventually be a starter in the NFL. https://t.co/sct19TI0Bz
— UVa Hoops Riffs (@UVaHoopsRiffs) November 23, 2022
Wouldn’t be the most insane thing to see the Rams somehow manage to turn Bryce Perkins into a day 2 pick off a few good games. Not sure if he’s a very good QB but he’s definitely a very fun one. https://t.co/l63ekxbcxb
— karan (@905Kar) November 23, 2022
[Ian Rapoport, Jourdan Rodrigue]
