The Los Angeles Rams ruled out starting quarterback Mathew Stafford (concussion/neck) for Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Rams coach Sean McVay, while not fully revealing who will start for the Rams, did hint that UVA alum Bryce Perkins could be behind center early in the game.
“He’s got a great way of showing himself,” said McVay of Perkins, who was listed as the third quarterback on LA’s depth chart behind John Wolford.
Wolford started in QB for the Rams two weeks ago but missed last week’s game with a neck injury and was limited in practice this week.
McVay went on to say of Perkins, “He’s got good composure, good leadership, good athletics. I thought what he (Perkins) did last week (New Orleans), he did a lot of good things. I look forward to him playing if that’s the case.”
In the Saints game, Stafford had to leave in the third quarter to be checked for a concussion. He was replaced by Perkins, who caused some problems for the Saints defense with his speed and evasiveness.
Perkins finished the game with 5 of 10 passes for 64 yards while rushing for 39 yards with five carries.
The loss left the defending Super Bowl champions a dismal 3-7 for the season.
At the Rams’ media conference call midweek, Perkins reflected on what he needed to improve on after his game against New Orleans.
“Getting the ball out of my hand, trying to honor checkdowns, being more disciplined with my feet,” Perkins said.
Perkins said conditioning would be key ahead of his Sunday start.
“It’s important to get more reps with the starters and get my condition back up. Getting out with the regulars today (Wednesday) and getting into the offensive sets was key,” Perkins added.
If Pekins actually starts for LA on Sunday, he will be the fifth Cavalier ever to start an NFL regular-season game as quarterback.
Here’s a look at former UVA QBs who have started games in the NFL:
- Gary Cuozzo made his NFL debut for the Baltimore Colts in 1963. Cuozzo replaced NFL legend Johnny Unitas after Unitas was injured in the 1965 season. In Cuozzo’s first career start, he set a new NFL record for most touchdown passes, five, in a game.
- Matt Schaub played 17 seasons in the NFL after being drafted by Atlanta in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft. Schaub ended his career in 2020 with over 25,000 passing yards.
- Don Majkowski led the Cavaliers to their first bowl game, a 27-24 win over Purdue in the 1984 Peach Bowl. Majkowski, the “Magic Man,” was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 10th round of the 1987 NFL Draft . In 1989, Majkowski had one of the best seasons in Packers history, completing 353 of 599 pass attempts for 4,318 yards, leading the NFL.
- Bob Davis, the 1966 ACC Player of the Year, was drafted in the second round of the 1967 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers. Davis played for the Oilers, New York Jets and New Orleans Saints.