The Los Angeles Rams started John Wolford at quarterback over an injured Jared Goff in Saturday’s Wild Card Weekend showdown against the NFC West rival Seattle Seahawks. Unfortunately, Wolford was forced out of action after less than a quarter.
Wolford tucked the ball and ran, only to get hit in the head and neck area by Seattle safety Jamal Adams, forcing him to the locker room.
WATCH: John Wolford exits field after Jamal Adams’ big hit
Pro Football Focus provided the clip of Adams’ blow to Wolford, which was initially going to be flagged, but officials picked up the laundry:
Goff had surgery on his broken thumb and wasn’t available to play in Week 17, pressing the unheralded Wolford into duty. Although he wasn’t spectacular in his maiden pro start, Wolford did enough to guide LA to an 18-7 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
Originally considered an emergency option entering Saturday’s contest, Goff is now having to face the Seahawks’ hot, attacking defense the rest of the way.
The Rams announced Wolford was questionable to return.
John Wolford injury: What QB’s setback means for Los Angeles Rams
Firstly, of course the main concern here is that Wolford is OK after that big hit. It certainly looked painful, and if it keeps him out of a playoff game, it’s bound to be at least fairly serious.
As for the larger implications for the Rams, they’ll have to see what Goff has in the tank and how effective he can be throwing the football.
Defensive coordinator Brandon Staley has Los Angeles’ unit playing among the NFL’s best, so whomever is under center for the Rams the rest of Saturday, for the 2021 season and beyond then, as long as Staley’s system holds, head coach Sean McVay can focus on building the offense.
It would’ve been nice for LA to get an extended look at Wolford in evaluating his future while also providing Goff more time to heal. Unfortunately, it’s a tough reality for the team to deal with, and Goff will have to put together something special to overcome Adams, Carlos Dunlap and Seattle’s dynamic pass rush.