Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay has given injury updates for Matthew Stafford, Kevin Dotson, and more ahead of their playoff game against the Chicago Bears.
The Los Angeles Rams were able to come out on top over the Carolina Panthers in the Wild Card round, 34-31, largely due to the excellent play from quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Stafford once again proved why he is an NFL MVP frontrunner, completing 24 of 42 passes for 304 yards and 3 touchdowns. However, this came at a cost when he injured his finger during the game.
Fortunately, it looks like Stafford will still be in action when the Rams battle the Chicago Bears in the Divisional Round.
According to Stu Jackson of TheRams.com, Rams head coach Sean McVay confirmed that Stafford only sprained his finger and should be "good to go" on Sunday against the Bears.
McVay's optimism continued regarding offensive lineman Kevin Dotson, saying that he should be recovered from his ankle injury in time for Sunday's game.
"He's (Dotson) making great progress," McVay said, per Jackson. "I was really encouraged. I thought he had a great week last week, optimistic about what that looks like for this week. Been proud as hell of how (offensive lineman) Justin Dedich has battled, but the expectations, and I know Kevin's preparing, to go play this week, and we're going to really push that thing and see how he feels with the optimism that there's a good chance that he makes it."
Additionally, McVay revealed that rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson and cornerback Josh Wallace will likely return for the Divisional Round.
"They were right up until kickoff (against the Panthers)," McVay said. "There was a possibility that they could make it. Kevin obviously was the one guy that we did rule out, and been really pleased with his progress, but (that decision was) just based on the nature of some of the things his position would require. But with some of those other guys, it's looking pretty good."
Unfortunately, not all of the injury news is good. Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon re-aggravated a shoulder injury he suffered during the regular season in the win over the Panthers, meaning he will be out for the rest of the postseason.
"Unfortunately, he ended up getting his shoulder bad," McVay said. "He's going to be on IR. It was a tough, good tackle by him, but kind of re-aggravated that same thing from earlier in the year and so he'll end up being out. ... He'll be out for the remainder."
Still, this is overall good news for the Rams as they go on to face one of the most surprisingly tough teams in the NFL today.