A mid-week arrival of symptoms has landed Matthew Stafford in the concussion protocol.
Rams head coach Sean McVay announced the news Wednesday, explaining it is the team's understanding Stafford sustained the concussion in Los Angeles' Week 9 loss to Tampa Bay, but didn't exhibit symptoms of a concussion until the team's standard checks with Stafford in the days after the game.
Although Stafford wasn't placed into the protocol until the middle of the week, he still has a chance to play Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. McVay said the Rams will "take it a day at a time" with Stafford, holding out "the optimistic approach that there's a possibility he'll be able to go" this weekend, per the Associated Press.
Stafford has had a rough season to this point, tying for the NFL's fourth-worst touchdown-to-interception ratio at 8-8. He's thrown 25 interceptions since the start of the 2021 season, and is on pace for just 17 passing touchdowns in 2022 after throwing 41 last year.
The offensive line has certainly deserved a healthy share of the blame: Los Angeles has had a different starting five up front in each of their eight games this season, leading to Stafford taking the third-most sacks (28) in the NFL this season.
If Stafford can't play, John Wolford would be next in line to start for the 3-5 Rams.
