St. Louis Rams: Optimism Over Sam Bradford Injury

Head coach Jeff Fisher stated after Saturday’s 33-14 win over the Cleveland Browns that he was “very optimistic” over the status of starting quarterback Sam Bradford. The former Oklahoma Sooner star was lost in the first quarter, having appeared to hyperextend his left knee, or at least that’s what the Rams are hoping for.

Before leaving the game, Bradford had completed 4 of 9 passes, for 77 yards. Left tackle Jake Long had been beaten off the edge, before Bradford was knocked down by Browns defensive end Armonty Bryant.

The apparent injury has to worry the team, given that it is the same knee in which Bradford had repaired this offseason, after tearing his ACL in 2013. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the initial tests were in inconclusive and an MRI will take place on Sunday to see if there is any structural damage.

Sam Bradford has only played two full seasons in his young career, 2010 and 2012. Although the Rams acquired veteran backup Shaun Hill this offseason, losing Bradford again for significant time would be a great cause for concern for this squad.

If the fifth year quarterback can’t make it back soon, it may be time to explore options for the future. The Rams gave Bradford $50 million in guaranteed money, under his rookie contract, and is scheduled to make somewhere in the realm of $14 million in 2014. At some point, St. Louis will have to realize that Bradford isn’t worth their time or money.