Baker Mayfield may play sooner than anticipated in Los Angeles.
Mayfield is set to play against the Raiders on “Thursday Night Football,” according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The quarterback was released by the Panthers on Monday and taken off waivers by the Rams. Mayfield entered Los Angeles. Tuesday night and is apparently well-versed in the entire game plan.
However, Mayfield’s status will rely in part on the condition of backup quarterback John Wolford, who continues to recover from a neck injury. Wolford, who was limited in Wednesday’s walk-throughs, is presently listed as questionable.
Sean McVay told reporters on Wednesday that he was “evaluating” Baker Mayfield’s availability for Thursday’s game. The Rams’ depth chart also includes third-stringer Bryce Perkins.
Baker Mayfield looks to throw against the Baltimore Ravens in the first half on November 20, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that the Rams want to observe how quarterback John Wolford performs in pregame warmups before deciding who will start. If Wolford is not healthy enough to play, Mayfield will be the next in line to start.
After starting quarterback Matthew Stafford was placed on injured reserve Saturday with a spinal injury, the Rams grabbed Mayfield off waivers. The 34-year-old has not played since suffering a neck injury in Week 11 against the Saints.
The replacements for Stafford have been unsuccessful for the 3-9 Rams, who have lost six consecutive games.
In two starts, Wolford was winless, passing for 390 yards and one touchdown while throwing three interceptions. In his lone start against the Chiefs in Week 12, Perkins completed 13 of 23 throws for 100 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.
In six of his seven starts for the Panthers, Mayfield completed 58 percent of his passes for 1,313 yards with six touchdowns and six interceptions.
Although Stafford is eligible to return in Week 17, head coach Sean McVay believes he will not play again this season. Before his demise, Stafford threw for 2,087 yards, 10 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in nine games.
»Baker Mayfield is anticipated to play for the Rams on Thursday Night Football«