The Green Bay Packers Catch A Break As Rams’ QB Matthew Stafford Unlikely To Play

The Green Bay Packers, mired in a four-game losing streak and holding the NFL’s sixth worst record, got a bit of good news Sunday morning.

NFL.com reported that Los Angeles Rams starting quarterback Matthew Stafford (thumb) in unlikely play in today’s game against the Packers. Stafford will be replaced by journeyman Brett Rypien, who is 2-1 as a starter since entering the league in 2019.

Green Bay moved to a 3.5-point favorite after news broke that Stafford would likely be inactive.

“I don’t think they’re going to change what they do all of a sudden,” Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry said on Thursday. “They’re not all of a sudden going to put a Rypien offense in. They’re going to run their offense. No matter who plays quarterback, they’re going to run their offense.”

Stafford suffered a sprained UCL in his right thumb during the Rams’ loss at Dallas in Week 8. Rypien relieved Stafford and went 5-of-10 for 42 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.

Rypien, who played collegiately at Boise State, went undrafted in 2019. He signed with Denver and spent four years there.

Rypien appeared in three games with the Broncos, threw four touchdowns and eight interceptions and posted a quarterback rating of 62.8. He signed with the Rams in May, was released on Aug. 29, signed back to the practice squad and promoted to the active roster on Sept. 13.

Stafford was in the middle of a solid year with eight touchdowns, seven interceptions and 2,070 passing yards.

When asked about Stafford on Friday, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur gushed.

“He’s a Hall of Fame caliber player, so you better prepare for him,” LaFleur said. “If he doesn’t play, then he doesn’t play, and you make adjustments. No different than what would happen in game if something happens to a guy. You make the necessary adjustments.

“But Matthew Stafford is a dynamic quarterback, one of the best in the league. He can throw with — we’ve seen him so many times over the years with Detroit and now with L.A. Shoot, he won a Super Bowl. He is as good as they get.”