Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay ‘won’t make an announcement’ on QB departure

MILLE OAKS, Calif .– Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay has no plans to reveal until kick-off whether Jared Goff or John Wolford will start quarterback in Saturday’s playoff game at the Seattle Seahawks.

“I’m not going to make an announcement on who’s starting and who isn’t,” McVay said in a video conference with reporters Tuesday. “I’m not going to answer that question this week.”

McVay said he expects wide receiver Cooper Kupp and defensive lineman Michael Brockers to be activated from the reserve / COVID-19 list before Saturday and that there is a good chance left tackle Andrew Whitworth – who tore her MCL and posterior cruciate ligament during the week. 10 – will be activated from the injured reserve.

As the Rams prepare for their third playoff appearance in four seasons, Goff continues to recover from surgery on his thumb throwing hand he suffered one day after a Week 16 loss to the Seahawks division champion at Lumen Field.

Immediately after Goff’s surgery, McVay expressed confidence that the procedure would allow him to return for the playoffs; On Tuesday, McVay changed that statement.

“What I probably should have said is that there is a possibility that he would be ready to go as soon as we were able to make the playoffs,” said McVay. “I didn’t know all of what rehabilitation entailed.”

McVay said Goff “threw a few balls” but was unable to provide an update on whether the quarterback took any snaps.

“He’s doing fine,” McVay said. “He’s just had surgery quite recently, so I know he’s doing everything in his power to get ready to leave.”

When asked if he had a schedule for determining if Goff could play, McVay joked, “Yeah, Saturday at 1:39 a.m.”

Kick-off is scheduled for 1:40 p.m. PT.

Wolford made his NFL debut on Sunday in Goff’s absence and earned his first NFL victory – over the Arizona Cardinals – which landed a playoff berth for the Rams. Wolford passed for 231 yards, with one interception, and rushed for 56 yards on six carries.

“I liked a lot of things he did the other day and it gives you some flexibility with how you’re handling this week, but I feel good to have two guys,” McVay said. “Whatever Jared is capable of doing this week and how it feels will definitely depend on how we handle the rest of the week and what it looks like for Saturday.”

Sunday’s contest marked the first meaningful game of Goff’s five seasons that he has not been available. In 15 games this season, Goff had 3,952 yards and 20 touchdowns, but he was responsible for 17 of the Rams’ 25 turnovers.

McVay crushed any notion of quarterback controversy when asked who he would start if the two were equally healthy and if he was leaning towards Goff because of his experience.

“Jared is our starting quarterback, and the reality is he has had thumb surgery,” McVay said. “We watch this every day and it’s something we take one day at a time, but these two guys are expected to be getting ready to go.”

McVay hasn’t ruled out the possibility that Goff and Wolford could play on Saturday.