It’s been a difficult year for Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff, and that continued Sunday with an injury he sustained during the Rams’ 20-9 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Goff (seen above during that game) suffered a thumb injury during the third quarter, but popped his thumb back into place (which was captured on the Fox broadcast, even; don’t watch if you’re squeamish) and finished the game. However, after the game, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Michael Silver reported that Goff’s thumb is indeed broken, and he may not be able to play in the Rams’ final regular-season game next week against the Arizona Cardinals, possibly causing them to turn to former AAF star John Wolford with a playoff spot possibly on the line (the Rams can clinch if they win, but will need a Bears’ loss if they lose):
Rams QB Jared Goff also suffered a dislocation during the game. He was able to grip a ball and throw today — perhaps a good sign. He’ll have more tests tomorrow to see about his status. https://t.co/2koZ9G01me
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 28, 2020
The #Rams backup QB — and likely starter next week — is John Wolford. The former AAF passing TD leader with the Arizona Hotshots is a talent who has teammates intrigued. https://t.co/clzapuNE9J
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 28, 2020
Goff finished Sunday’s game with 24 completions on 43 attempts (55.8 percent) for 234 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. On the season, he’s completed 346 of 509 attempts (68.0 percent) for 3,718 yards with 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. That’s quite a drop-off from the 4,638 yards he threw for last year and the 4,688 yards he threw for in 2018; we’ll see if he’s able to play next week and add to his totals.
If Goff isn’t able to go next week, the focus may shift to Wolford, who hasn’t yet thrown a pass in a NFL regular-season game. But he threw for 1,614 yards and a league-high 14 touchdowns in the AAF in the spring of 2019, impressed in preseason for the Rams last fall, and was on their practice squad for most of last year. This year, he’s moved up to the active roster as Goff’s primary backup. It may be interesting to see what he can do under center if he gets the start.
[NFL.com; photo from Joe Nicholson/USA Today Sports]
