Matthew Stafford’s Head Injuries Put His Season In Doubt For The Cratering Los Angeles Rams

The Los Angeles Rams could be without their $160 million man next Sunday, and just maybe, for the rest of the season.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford potentially suffered his second concussion in three weeks in L.A.’s 27-20 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

Stafford, who had missed the previous game against the Arizona Cardinals with a concussion, signed his rich extension during the offseason that carries a $60 million guarantee.

But after being battered behind the Rams’ woeful offensive line, the 13-year veteran Stafford’s immediate future is in doubt.

“I’m not going to be reckless, and we’re going to be really smart with Matthew,’’ Rams coach Sean McVay said on Monday.

Stafford, according to McVay, had yet to enter the NFL’s concussion protocol in the wake of Stafford’s latest setback. But it’s clear the organization is concerned about Stafford, the only quarterback to lead the Rams to a Super Bowl title while they’ve been in L.A.

Stafford’s salary cap hit this year of $13.5 million is the third-highest among the Rams. Only defensive tackle Aaron Donald ($27 million) and safety Jalen Ramsey ($23.2 million) carry bigger cap numbers.

The Rams (3-7), who have lost four straight for the first time under McVay, have depth issues as well at quarterback. Backup John Wolford is battling a neck injury, leaving the unproven Bryce Perkins as the top signal-caller.

McVay did say the Rams are considering their options outside the roster as they try to salvage what has been an incredible disappointing season, not yet a year away from claiming Super Bowl 56. Next up is visit to the Kansas City Chiefs.

With the last-place Rams spiraling, caught in a tailspin of ineffective play and injuries to critical players, their outside hopes of making the playoffs continue to fade. With Stafford, 34, now suffering from another brain trauma, there’s little reward for him to hurry back or even be expected to do so.

“There’s a lot of things that we are working through that are, I would say, unprecedented,’’ McVay said.

Stafford didn’t show any rust after skipping the Arizona game, clicking with wide receiver Tutu Atwell on a 62-yard strike off a keenly executed play-action call versus the Saints. And there was another Stafford scoring pass, a 6-yarder to Allen Robinson, that came before the first half.

But when Stafford was sacked on the Rams’ first drive to open the second half his day, it was clear he was under duress. After being evaluated on the sidelines, Stafford retreated to the locker room.