NFL Thursday Night Football: Could Baker Mayfield start for the Rams against the Raiders?
The Los Angeles Rams host the Las Vegas Raiders for Thursday Night Football, and newly hired quarterback Baker Mayfield could start for the team.
It’s been an eventful week for quarterback Baker Mayfield- released by the Carolina Panthers then claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Rams almost immediately after, to cover for Matthew Stafford who has been placed on injured reserve.
Now, he might just get to start for his new team during their Thursday Night Football game when they host the Las Vegas Raiders. Rams head coach Sean McVay said the 2018 number one draft pick will be ‘active’ for the game, but adds that they are still working through his status heading into the matchup.
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Only two days with the Rams
The 27-year-old arrived in Los Angeles Tuesday night, joined practice on Wednesday, and is up to speed with the team’s playbook.
Mayfield’s role will be determined by whether John Wolford has recovered enough from a persistent neck injury to be able to start. The backup quarterback has been listed as ‘questionable’.
McVay: Starting Mayfield would be unprecedented
McVay believes that Mayfield would be capable of filling in in an emergency setting, but admits it would be unprecedented for a quarterback to be starting for a new team just two days after being picked up on waivers.
If Wolford is forced to sit out the game, the Rams would have only Mayfield and third-stringer Bryce Perkins to call on as QB.
The reigning Super Bowl champions are on a six-game losing streak and have a 3-9 record. They have been plagued by injuries, with Stafford and star wide receiver Cooper Kupp both on injured reserve with the possibility of missing the rest of the season. Eight-time Pro Bowler defensive tackle Aaron Donald is likely to be sidelined for a second consecutive week.