Nov 13, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) tries to slip past Arizona Cardinals guard Lecitus Smith (54) to get to quarterback Colt McCoy (not pictured) during the second quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Rams rule out DT Aaron Donald (ankle) for ‘TNF’

Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald will miss a second straight game with an ankle injury.

Quarterback John Wolford is listed as questionable with a neck injury. If he’s unable to go, newly acquired Baker Mayfield and QB3 Bryce Perkins will be the only healthy quarterbacks available to the Rams.

The Rams (3-9) host the Las Vegas Raiders to kick off Week 14. Los Angeles has six straight games, an NFL record for a reigning league champion.

In addition to Donald, the Rams also ruled out linebackers Terrell Lewis (back) and Travin Howard (hip) along with cornerback David Long Jr. (groin) for the Thursday night contest.

Donald sustained the injury in the Rams’ Week 12 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs. Last week’s game against the Seattle Seahawks was the first career game missed for the nine-year veteran.

The seven-time All-Pro has five sacks and 49 tackles — including 10 for loss — on the season. He also has a forced fumble and fumble recovery.

–Field Level Media

Jan 9, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) and offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth (77) celebrate after the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Rams QB Jared Goff to start, John Wolford ruled out

Quarterback Jared Goff is back in the starting lineup for the Los Angeles Rams when they visit the Green Bay Packers in the NFC divisional round Saturday afternoon.

Goff required surgery on a thumb injury in late December, giving undrafted rookie John Wolford the start for the Rams in Week 17 and last week at Seattle in the wild-card round. However, Wolford left that game with a neck injury and was transported to the hospital for tests, but returned to the stadium before the game was over.

Wolford was ruled out of Saturday’s game at Lambeau Field due to lingering effects of a neck stinger he suffered against the Seahawks.

Goff gets the ball in below-freezing temperatures with a questionable grip. Goff has started two games in sub-32-degree temps and is 0-2 with five turnovers.

Goff’s injury occurred in Week 16 and Wolford helped the Rams win the next week in his first NFL start over the Arizona Cardinals. That victory put the Rams in the postseason.

Green Bay is the NFC’s No. 1 seed and had a bye last week.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, formerly offensive coordinator of the Rams under McVay, said earlier this week he had a good idea which quarterback the team would see this week.

–Field Level Media

Jan 9, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback John Wolford (9) lays on the ground after being injured during the first quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

McVay: Rams QB John Wolford day-to-day with stinger

Los Angeles Rams quarterback John Wolford is day-to-day with a neck stinger.

Head coach Sean McVay said he hasn’t determined the plan at quarterback this week, meaning Jared Goff or Wolford could be used as the starter at Green Bay on Saturday.

McVay said defensive lineman Aaron Donald (rib), offensive lineman David Edwards (Achilles tendonitis) and wide receiver Cooper Kupp (bursitis) are all considered day-to-day after injuries Saturday against the Seattle Seahawks.

Wolford started the game and was relieved by Goff, who didn’t start because he’s less than two weeks removed from a thumb fracture.

“We’re going to take it a day at a time with both of those guys,” McVay said Sunday night. “I just want to be able to see their health. … That’s the first thing, and then we’ll just kind of go from there.”

McVay said swelling is the concern with Kupp’s knee.

“Hopefully, get that swelling and inflammation down, with the anticipation and the hope to have him ready to go,” he said.

–Field Level Media

Jan 3, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback John Wolford (9) throws a pass during the froth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals  at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Rams’ Jared Goff enters contest for injured John Wolford

John Wolford started at quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday but departed with a neck injury just nine-plus minutes into the NFC wild-card game against the host Seattle Seahawks.

The injury led to typical starter Jared Goff taking over. Goff was the designated backup because he had surgery on his broken right thumb 12 days ago and wasn’t deemed ready to start.

Goff threw passes prior to the contest and didn’t appear to be limited.

Wolford was hurt on a keeper in which Seattle safely Jamal Adams used his shoulder on a tackle that smacked Wolford hard in the head. Wolford was down on the turf in pain and was assisted by trainers before he was able to walk off the field.

Wolford went to the locker room for further examination. The Rams said his return was questionable.

Wolford was making his second career NFL appearance. He started against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 17 and completed 22 of 38 passes for 231 yards and one interception in the Rams’s 18-7 victory. He also rushed for 56 yards on six attempts.

The 25-year-old Wolford played college football at Wake Forest.

Goff passed for 3,952 yards, 20 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 15 games during the regular season.

Veteran quarterback Blake Bortles, the third stringer, was one of the Rams’ inactives on Saturday.

–Field Level Media

Jan 3, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back Jonathan Ward (38) bulls his way into the end zone to zone a touchdown in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Wolford-led Rams eliminate Cardinals from postseason

In a battle of backup quarterbacks, John Wolford passed for 231 yards as the Los Angeles Rams earned their way into the playoffs with an 18-7 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at Inglewood, Calif.

The Cardinals (8-8) were eliminated from playoff consideration with the loss. The sixth-seeded Rams (10-6) will open the playoffs on the road against their NFC West-rival Seattle Seahawks.

Wolford, who had never seen action in a regular-season NFL game, took over for starter Jared Goff, who had thumb surgery following an injury last Sunday. The Wake Forest product had his first career pass intercepted by Arizona’s Jordan Hicks before settling into the game.

The Rams’ stout defense stepped up for their inexperienced quarterback, earning a safety on a Cardinals holding penalty in the end zone in the second quarter and had an interception returned for a touchdown by Troy Hill in the final minute before halftime.

Wolford was 22 of 38 in the air and rushed for a team-leading 56 yards. Cam Akers added 34 rushing yards and four catches for 52 more yards, but he did have a fumble at the 1-yard line.

The Cardinals played most of the first three quarters without starter Kyler Murray, who came away with a right ankle injury in the opening drive of the game after he was sacked by the Rams’ Morgan Fox.

Chris Streveler, who had never thrown a pass in a regular-season NFL game, was 11 of 16 for 105 yards and a touchdown in addition to the costly interception. Murray returned at the start of the fourth quarter and was 8 of 11 in the game for 87 yards.

After Wolford’s early interception gave the Cardinals the ball at the Rams’ 14-yard line, Streveler gave the Cardinals a 7-0 lead on a short flip to Jonathan Ward for an 11-yard touchdown.

Wolford drove the Rams to the 1-yard line on the team’s third possession, but Los Angeles had to settle for a 28-yard field goal by Matt Gay. The Rams then pulled within 7-5 on a safety when Cardinals guard Justin Pugh was called for holding in the end zone.

Hill’s 84-yard interception return gave the Rams a 12-7 lead 20 seconds before halftime.

With Wolford still unable to get the Rams into the end zone, two second-half field goals from Gay gave the Rams their 18-7 lead with 14:25 remaining.

Murray returned on the Cardinals’ first possession of the fourth quarter and quickly drove Arizona to the Rams’ 7-yard line but Mike Nugent’s 37-yard field-goal attempt was blocked by A’Shawn Robinson with 9:08 remaining.

–Field Level Media