Cowboys to See Sam Bradford on Sunday; Sources Say Rams QB Will Play
Just days after St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford was announced to be all but out of Sunday’s contest against the Dallas Cowboys, sources close to the team say the Oklahoma product will play. Rams backup quarterback A.J. Feeley has practiced with the Rams’ first-team offense this week and was expected to start, but now it appears the Cowboys will indeed have to take on the former Heisman Trophy winner as Bradford’s high ankle sprain is evidently healed.
Bradford was seen in a walking boot on Monday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Feeley is still taking all the first-team snaps at quarterback during the Rams’ practices. Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo said Bradford had a “noticeable limp” on Monday, but he’s still expected to start against the Cowboys.
That changes things a little for the Cowboys’ defensive game-planning heading into the contest. With Feeley at quarterback, the Rams’ porous offense would be almost incapable of scoring, so Dallas would stack the box to stop St. Louis running back Steven Jackson. However, Bradford’s passing ability must be respected despite the Rams’ 0-5 record, especially after they acquired receiver Brandon Lloyd in a trade with the Denver Broncos.
Bradford’s is a right-handed quarterback and it’s his left ankle that’s sprained, so he can still plant on his right foot to throw. He’s expected to look Lloyd’s way early and often as the Rams don’t have many other reliable options at receiver. Expect Cowboys cornerback Mike Jenkins to match up against Lloyd with free safety Abram Elam keeping an eye on him as well.
Dallas defensive coordinator Rob Ryan will probably try to use several different blitz schemes to get to Bradford early in the contest to discourage the Rams from passing. From there, the Cowboys can focus on Jackson, a stud that Dallas passed on in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft.
Contact Griffin at or on Twitter @Cowboys_Central
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