Quarterback Jared Goff is back in the starting lineup for the Los Angeles Rams when they visit the Green Bay Packers in the NFC divisional round Saturday afternoon.
Goff required surgery on a thumb injury in late December, giving undrafted rookie John Wolford the start for the Rams in Week 17 and last week at Seattle in the wild-card round. However, Wolford left that game with a neck injury and was transported to the hospital for tests, but returned to the stadium before the game was over.
“He’s played in a lot of big games, and this is a great opportunity for us and with him leading our offense, we feel great about the chance,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said Thursday.
Wolford was ruled out of Saturday’s game at Lambeau Field due to lingering effects of a neck stinger he suffered against the Seahawks.
Goff gets the ball in below-freezing temperatures with a questionable grip. Goff has started two games in sub-32-degree temps and is 0-2 with five turnovers.
Meanwhile, wide receiver Cooper Kupp (knee) missed a third straight day of practice Thursday and is questionable to play against the Packers. Offensive lineman David Edwards (ankle) is also questionable.
Goff’s injury occurred in Week 16 and Wolford helped the Rams win the next week in his first NFL start over the Arizona Cardinals. That victory put the Rams in the postseason.
Green Bay is the NFC’s No. 1 seed and had a bye last week.
“I thought there were some throws that he’s typically fairly automatic on that maybe he missed,” McVay said Thursday. “When you watched him throw last week to this week, it is definitely trending in the right direction that’s more in alignment and, really, looks like the Jared that we’re accustomed to.”
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, formerly offensive coordinator of the Rams under McVay, said Thursday that Green Bay focused its preparation on Goff early in the week.
Kupp caught four passes for 78 yards against the Seahawks before leaving in the fourth quarter with a knee contusion.
Aaron Donald (ribs) was limited Thursday but doesn’t carry a designation. Linebacker Terrell Lewis has been ruled out with an ankle injury after missing the entire week of practice.
