If you were hoping to see a quarterback battle of Kyler Murray against Matthew Stafford during Sunday’s game between the Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams, you may end up being disappointed. A report came out on Saturday night expressing doubt that either starting quarterback will be in action.
Murray has been dealing with a hamstring injury. Stafford, meanwhile, has been in concussion protocol throughout the week. And while Los Angeles coach Sean McVay said on Friday that his quarterback was making “good progress,” it doesn’t seem as though the progress has been good enough for Sunday to be a likelihood.
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN said that “a source expressed skepticism” about Murray’s availability and reported that “barring a drastic change,” Stafford will likely not start. That would leave Colt McCoy starting for the Cardinals and John Wolford going under center for the Rams.
#Rams #Cardinals a backup QB battle?
*John Wolford set to start barring drastic change, per source, w/ Matthew Stafford in concussion protocol.
*Kyler Murray to test hamstring pregame, but a source expressed skepticism based on progress, with Colt McCoy ready.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) November 13, 2022
The idea of a McCoy vs. Wolford showdown wasn’t met with a lot of enthusiasm.
https://twitter.com/awrightdesigns/status/1591607951311409152
https://t.co/IyT8PbvYg4 pic.twitter.com/JFa7va7E5E
— Leon Kums (@g8erlaw68) November 13, 2022
The fate of our season rests in the hands of John Wolford… should be fun🙃 https://t.co/qqZk4T2bTG
— DG (@Darren_Gz) November 13, 2022
Gonna be a ugly game tomorrow https://t.co/bXEHwPnPFi
— Donté (@AirRetro_DK5) November 13, 2022
If this does end up being the quarterback matchup, Arizona has a significant edge, at least in experience. While he hasn’t yet taken the field in 2022, McCoy is a veteran and saw significant action for the Cardinals last season. He appeared in eight games, completing 74.7% of his passes for 740 yards with three touchdowns, one interception, and a 101.4 passer rating. Arizona was 2-1 in games McCoy started.
Wolford, meanwhile, got into three games in 2021 but attempted only four passes. He was 1-for-4, passing for five yards with no touchdowns and an interception. In 2020, Wolford appeared in only one game, which was a start for then-starter, Jared Goff, who rested in the season’s final game. In that game, Wolford was 22-for-38 for 231 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. The Rams did win that game, though, which was also against the Cardinals.
The game is important for both teams. Arizona enters Sunday’s game at 3-6, in last place in the NFC West. Los Angeles had also struggled. The Rams are 3-5 and have dropped four of their last five games.
