Rams’ likely Week 9 starter at QB revealed

The Los Angeles Rams have a question mark at quarterback entering Week 9 with starter Matthew Stafford nursing a thumb injury. However, several NFL insiders hear that barring something unforeseen, the veteran will sit this one out. 

According to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, backup Brett Rypien will get the nod in place of Stafford against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. 

The Rams haven’t ruled Stafford out, but Rapoport added that “unless Stafford surprises,” Rypien will be the guy. The report is consistent with the Rams’ most recent update on Stafford earlier in the week. On Friday, after Stafford had missed an entire week of practice, head coach Sean McVay was vague-but-upbeat about his status, telling reporters the veteran signal-caller was “making good progress every day.” McVay explained that the team expected Stafford’s absence from practice and would wait up until game time to decide on who starts. 

However, when pressed on the subject, McVay didn’t eliminate the possibility that they could know whether or not Stafford could play well before kickoff. 

“Could we have an idea on Saturday night that it’s more likely than not that he’s not going to go? Yeah, I’m not going to sit here and say that that couldn’t be a possibility,” McVay said via the Rams. 

Stafford suffered a sprained UCL on his throwing hand during the Rams’ blowout loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8. Rypien entered in relief, going 5-of-10 for 42 yards, leading four drives in the second half.