Los Angeles Rams starting quarterback Matthew Stafford injured his right thumb during the team’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8. He missed the Week 9 game against the Green Bay Packers, and the team was on a bye last week.
A couple of days after the Packers game, the Rams signed Carson Wentz to be the backup quarterback for Stafford. Wentz is expected to be active for Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks, but Stafford is active and starting in this one.
Who Was the Los Angeles Rams’ Backup Quarterback?
After Stafford got hurt, Brett Rypien finished the game against the Cowboys and then started the following week against the Packers. Rypien went 13-of-28 for 130 pass yards, no touchdowns, and one interception in the 20-3 loss. He was released two days after the game and joined the Seahawks practice squad a few days later.
The Rams enter Week 12 two and a half games behind the Minnesota Vikings for the last NFC Wild Card spot. The team signed Wentz to provide more depth at the quarterback position. Stafford missed eight of the final nine games last season for the Rams.
MORE: Los Angeles Rams Depth Chart
Head coach Sean McVay said, “I think to have somebody that’s played as well as he’s played, has had as many experiences as he’s had to be out there and available is kind of rare. So we were excited about the opportunity to be able to get him into the building and that’s kind of where we’re at right now as it relates to that.”
When Was the Last Time Carson Wentz Played?
Wentz’s last NFL action came with the Washington Commanders in 2022, when he played in eight games. The former first-round pick started six games for Washington before breaking a finger and missing eight games. He returned to play in two of the final three games but sat out the season finale.
Wentz completed 62.3% of his passes for 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions in his only season with Washington. After playing for the Philadelphia Eagles for five seasons, he played one season with the Indianapolis Colts before moving on to the Commanders.
Wentz expressed interest in joining the New York Jets after Aaron Rodgers was injured in Week 1. The Jets preferred to stay with Zach Wilson, and Wentz stayed out of football until the Rams offered him a contract. NFL.com insider Ian Rapoport reported that Wentz checked in with the Jets one last time before officially signing with the Rams earlier this month.
A couple of days after Wentz signed with the Rams, his wife, Madison Oberg, gave birth to the couple’s third daughter. He talked with reporters about his crazy week with the Rams.
#Rams QB Carson Wentz has had a busy past few weeks. Not only was he just signed, but Wentz says that he and his wife, Madison, had a baby last Friday as well.
He signed with the team on Wednesday, went back home to his wife, who went into labor on Thursday, and then “turned… pic.twitter.com/rfXDNDu36Y
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulli) November 16, 2023
On Instagram, the new Rams QB opened up about the week he had while welcoming his new daughter.
“What a wild week it’s been, but I’m beyond grateful this little girl made her entrance into this crazy world at just the right time so I could be home for it! Gods timing is always perfect…. learning that more and more everyday,” he wrote.
“So thankful for my incredible wife and all she does for me and our 3 girlies! She was a rockstar once again! Welcome to our crazy fam and our crazy adventure, my sweet Hayes. We love you so much already!”
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