Bryce Perkins News

Per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Perkins' tender would've been over $2.6 million, but the Rams are open to bringing the backup quarterback back at a lower price. The undrafted product out of Virginia made his NFL debut in 2022 and appeared in five games, completing 19 of 34 passes for 161 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions across 89 offensive snaps. He also rushed 19 times for 90 yards.

Perkins flashed some promise during the 2022 preseason, completing 35 of 49 pass attempts for 399 yards and two touchdowns while adding 73 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground on 18 attempts. That dual-threat ability was called upon in Week 11, when Matthew Stafford (neck) left midway through the third quarter, and Perkins performed admirably with 64 passing yards and 39 rushing yards in limited action, although a 50 percent completion percentage was a concerning sign. Perkins started in Week 12 with John Wolford out with a neck injury of his own, and struggled mightily, completing just 13 of 23 passes for 100 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions, while tacking on 44 rushing yards. The Virginia product would only see five more snaps on offense the remainder of the year, as Wolford and Baker Mayfield served as the starters. Perkins is a restricted free agent going into 2023, but his struggles when called upon this season may see him looking elsewhere for work as a backup.

Both John Wolford and newcomer Baker Mayfield, who was claimed off waivers Tuesday, are available to the Rams and believed to be the two options to start at quarterback for the team Week 14, so Perkins likely is destined for clipboard duty and not much more. Still, if Perkins somehow finds his way onto the field Thursday, he'll be bringing a 56 completion percentage, 4.7 yards per attempt and one touchdown versus two interceptions in addition to 18 carries for 92 yards from his four appearances (one start) this season.

When Matthew Stafford entered the concussion protocol for the second time this season following Week 11 action before being effectively ruled out for the remainder of the campaign with a spinal contusion, Perkins stepped in for his first NFL start Week 12. He completed just 13 of 23 attempts for 100 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions to go with nine carries for 44 yards in a 26-10 loss to the Chiefs before moving to the bench Week 13 in favor of Wolford. Though Wolford didn't fare any better in last week's loss to the Saints (14 for 26 for 178 yards and two interceptions), he's tentatively in line to direct the offense Thursday so long as the sore neck that resulted in him being listed as questionable for the contest doesn't hamper him in pregame warmups. Mayfield also appears to have quickly jumped ahead of Perkins on the depth chart since joining the Rams on Tuesday after being claimed off waivers from the Panthers. Pelissero reports that Mayfield practiced Wednesday and is up to speed with the Week 14 game plan, so the Rams are content to give him a look as the starter if Wolford can't go.

While L.A.'s nominal No. 1 QB Matthew Stafford (neck) has cleared the concussion protocol, McVay ruled him out for Week 13 action and also noted an appearance from Stafford the rest of the season is uncertain, at best. That leaves Wolford and Perkins as the team's available signal-callers, and the former will get the nod Sunday. If Perkins sees the field this weekend, though, his scrambling ability may be tapped, as he's averaged 5.1 YPC on his 17 rushes in three games on the campaign.

Making the first start of his NFL career, Perkins struggled to move the ball through the air but did manage to lead the Rams in rushing yards. His first career TD pass went to Van Jefferson in the fourth quarter, but Los Angeles was down 20-3 at the time. With Allen Robinson (foot) now out for the year and Cooper Kupp (ankle) on IR as well, Perkins won't have much help even if he does get another start in Week 13 against the Seahawks in place of Matthew Stafford (neck).