Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford will take the field Sunday after medical scans showed nothing worse than a mild sprain to the index finger on his throwing hand.
The injury happened in the first half of Los Angeles’ 34-31 wild-card win over Carolina when Stafford’s hand struck a Panthers defender’s arm mid-throw. Despite the pain, he finished the game and engineered the comeback that gave the Super Bowl-winning quarterback his sixth career postseason victory.
At a Glance
- Stafford suffered a mild index-finger sprain last Saturday
- Coach Sean McVay confirmed he will start against Chicago
- Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon is out for the year with a re-injured shoulder blade
- Right guard Kevin Dotson has “a good chance” to return from an ankle sprain
- Why it matters: The Rams keep their MVP-caliber signal-caller intact for a divisional-round showdown with the Bears
Stafford’s Status
“He’s as tough as it gets, but he’s feeling good,” McVay said Monday. “He was able to push through it, and he’ll be good to go.”
The coach’s declaration ends two days of speculation about the 36-year-old quarterback’s availability. Stafford stayed in the game after briefly visiting the medical tent, guiding the Rams to 13 wins in 18 games this season.
Secondary Loses Witherspoon
While Stafford returns, Los Angeles will be without veteran cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon for the remainder of the playoffs. Witherspoon re-injured his shoulder blade after only 12 snaps against Carolina, ending his ninth NFL season.
Witherspoon originally broke the shoulder blade in Week 2 at Tennessee-an injury the team initially labeled a broken collarbone. He missed 2 ½ months before returning as a reserve for the final four regular-season games. He recorded one interception and eight tackles in seven total appearances.
Cobie Durant replaced Witherspoon in the starting lineup after Week 2 and held the job even after Witherspoon came back, recording an early interception versus the Panthers.
Dotson Nears Return
McVay offered more upbeat news about right guard Kevin Dotson, saying there is “a good chance” the bruising lineman will return from a sprained ankle this weekend.
Dotson suffered the injury last month when Seattle linebacker Derick Hall stepped on his leg; Hall received a one-game suspension for the play. Dotson’s presence would bolster a rushing attack that ranks sixth in the NFL with 137.1 yards per game.
Up Next
The Rams (13-5) host the Chicago Bears on Sunday in the divisional round, seeking their first trip to the NFC Championship Game since the 2021 Super Bowl run. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET at SoFi Stadium.
