INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Los Angeles Rams quarterback Baker Mayfield will be active Thursday night against the Las Vegas Raiders, less than 48 hours after landing in Los Angeles after being claimed on waivers Tuesday.
John Wolford and Bryce Perkins are also active at quarterback for the Rams on Thursday night.
Sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Thursday that the Rams wanted to see how Wolford’s neck reacted during pre-game warm-ups before making a final decision on a starter, with Mayfield set to start if Wolford weren’t in. healthy enough to play.
Rams coach Sean McVay said Wednesday that “it would be unprecedented” for Mayfield to play on such short notice, “but I think he would be able to, if we asked him to.”
If Mayfield starts a game, he would be the second No. 1 pick to start at quarterback for the Rams this season. According to ESPN Stats & Information research, the 2007 Panthers are the only team that has had multiple Common Draft Era (1967) No. 1 picks starting at quarterback: David Carr and Vinny Testaverde.
He would also be the third No. 1 pick to start at quarterback for McVay (Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff). Only two head coaches have had three joint draft-era No. 1 picks at QB: Bill Belichick and John Fox.
On Saturday, the Rams placed Stafford on the disabled list with a spinal cord contusion. Stafford has been sidelined since sustaining a neck injury in the Rams’ Week 11 loss to the New Orleans Saints, a game he left after being assessed for a concussion cerebral. McVay later said Stafford felt numbness in his legs after taking a hit in that game.
Although Stafford is eligible to return in Week 17, McVay said “there’s a good chance” he won’t play again this season.