Former UVA QB Bryce Perkins may get first NFL start today vs. Chiefs

By Jerry Ratcliffe

There’s a good chance that former Virginia quarterback Bryce Perkins will get his first starting NFL assignment Sunday when the LA Rams travel to Kansas City.

Perkins, who broke several offensive records for the Cavaliers before turning over the keys to Brennan Armstrong, is the only Rams quarterback who hasn’t been on the team’s injury report this week. Regular starter Matthew Stafford is in concussion protocol, while backup John Wolford was out in last Sunday’s loss to the New Orleans Saints due to a neck injury. Wolford didn’t go through a full practice until Friday.

Rams coach Sean McVay didn’t want to tip his hand to the Chiefs, a 15.5-point favorite in the game, so declined an opportunity to name a starter.

“You’ll see Sunday,” McVay told reporters.

LA is 3-7 heading into KC to take on an 8-2 Chiefs team.

“We’re continuing to work through things,” McVay said of Perkins transformation from a reputation as a running quarterback to a more well-rounded player. “I think you want Bryce to be able to go play fast, confident and have that clarity. I thought he did that. I think one of the things that you can’t deny about Bryce, he’s one of those guys that elevates people around him. He’s got a great game-day demeanor where nothing is too big for him and you can see his teammates believe in him and he brings a good positive spark to us if he’s got to go.”

Perkins has been on the Rams’ roster for the past two seasons, but hasn’t seen much playing time. Observers believe it’s time for Perkins to get a chance and might give what has been a stagnant offense a jolt.

Perkins played a quarter of relief against the Saints when Stafford was knocked out of the game. He didn’t throw the ball effectively like he did in preseason games when he earned a spot on the LA roster.

The former Virginia star, who would be the sixth Cavalier all-time to gain a starting assignment in the NFL as a quarterback (Gary Cuazzo, Bob Davis, Don Majkowski, Aaron Brooks and Matt Schaub), is ready for the challenge even if it is on the road.

“I love the rough, rowdy environments,” Perkins told reporters. “It’s going to be good to go out there and just kind of experience it all. I’ve heard from multiple people that Arrowhead (Stadium) is like one of the loudest stadiums that they’ve played in. So, to get a chance to go out there, feel the energy, that’s what you live for, those movie-type football scenarios.”