Goff improves, but Rams not naming starting quarterback
Things are looking up for the Los Angeles Rams’ offense ahead of their NFC wild- card game at the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday.
Quarterback Jared Goff was upgraded to questionable on the Rams’ injury report, and offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth was activated off injured reserve Thursday. Those two bits of positive news came one day after wide receiver Cooper Kupp was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Goff, who hasn’t played since having surgery to repair his broken and dislocated right thumb Dec. 28, went through a “normal practice” Wednesday, according to Rams coach Sean McVay.
McVay, who added that he was “pleased” with what he saw from Goff, said earlier this week he would not announce a decision about his starting quarterback before game time. If Goff can’t play, John Wolford would make another start. Wolford led the Rams to an 18-7 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
Whitworth hasn’t played since he injured his PCL and MCL at home against the Seahawks on Nov. 15. He’s expected to be back in the starting lineup Saturday. WASHINGTON’S SMITH SITS OUT PRACTICE >> Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith watched practice without a helmet and is officially questionable for Saturday’s wildcard playoff game against the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Smith is “a little sore,” according to Washington head coach Ron Rivera.
Backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke practiced with the starters Thursday and would be the team’s quarterback if Smith can’t play.
BROWNS’ MAYFIELD HAS YET TO THROW BALL THIS WEEK >> Baker Mayfield hasn’t thrown a football in four days. The Browns haven’t practiced this week. Cleveland’s return to the NFL playoffs feels cursed.
For the second straight day, the team’s headquarters and training facility stayed closed due to a COVID-19 f lare- up that has knocked coach Kevin Stefanski out of Sunday night’s game in Pittsburgh and wreaked havoc on the Browns’ preparations.
There seemed to be a possibility the wild-card game could be moved back after Dr. Allen Sills, the league’s chief medical officer, told NFL Network “there was some spread from one individual to another” among the Browns.
However, a league spokesman said Thursday there “is no change to the status of the game” at Heinz Field.
Safety Ronnie Harrision became the latest player to test positive and will have to sit out Sunday. Harrison joins Pro Bowl left guard Joel Bitonio, cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Kevin Johnson, linebacker Malcolm Smith, wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge and tight end Harrison Bryant.
On Wednesday, starting linebacker B. J. Goodson was activated from the list and safety Andrew Sendejo came off Thursday.
The Browns are also down Stefanski and five assistant coaches.
BUCCANEERS WIDE RECEIVER EVANS A GAME-TIME DECISION >> Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans was able to run without restriction and is a game-time decision for Saturday night’s road playoff game against Washington.
Head coach Bruce Arians said the Buccaneers will monitor how Evans responds physically. He is likely to work out on the field Saturday in pregame before any final call is made on keeping him active.
Evans, 27, underwent an MRI exam following his Week 17 injury, which was determined to be a hyperextended left knee. No ligament damage was detected.
DIGGS, BEASLEY’S STATUS UNCERTAIN FOR BILLS’ PLAYOFF OPENER >> The playing status of the Bills’ two top receivers, Stefon Diggs and Cole Beasley, is uncertain for Buffalo’s wildcard playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday.
Coach Sean McDermott provided no definitive update whether either will be able to play in speaking before Buffalo’s practice on Thursday.
“Still not sure. We’ll just have to see,” he said, referring to Beasley, before adding: “And I can tell you the same with Diggs.”
Beasley has already missed one game after hurting his knee in the fourth quarter of a 38-9 win at New England on Dec. 28. Diggs, who led the NFL with 127 catches for 1,535 yards, was added to the injury report this week with an oblique issue. He was listed as limited in practice Tuesday and did not practice Wednesday.
TEXANS HIRE PATRIOTS EXEC CASERIO AS GENERAL MANAGER >> Nick Caserio has been hired as the general manager of the Houston Texans. Caserio, a longtime executive with the New England Patriots, replaces Bill O’Brien, who was the team’s coach and general manager before he was fired after this season’s 0- 4 start.
Caserio has spent the past 20 seasons with the Patriots and has been the director of player personnel since 2008.