Sam Bradford Injury: Rams' Playoff Hopes Derailed by Bradford's Injury

Sam Bradford insists that he will be able to play through his injury, but it is still substantial enough that the Rams will not be able to make it through with their playoff hopes intact.

Bradford had an MRI on his injured right index finger on Monday. According to the Associated Press, it is just a bruise and should not keep him out of next Monday's contest against the New York Giants. Bradford didn't need an MRI to figure this out.

Bernie Miklasz tweeted this quote from Bradford following Sunday's loss to the Eagles:

"

"I don't see any way that I'm not going to be on that field (playing) next Monday."

"

The problem for the Rams is that Bradford and the Rams' passing attack was not sharp in the opening loss. Bradford was just 17-of-30 with 180 yards before leaving in the fourth quarter. He was too often off the mark in the opener, and when he was on target, his receivers let him down with too many drops.

He looked hesitant in the new offensive system installed by Rams offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

Now, Bradford is forced to improve his accuracy with a bruised index finger on his throwing hand. This is no easy task. Of all the fingers he could have bruised, this is the most damaging one. The index is key to a quarterback as it guides the pass and gives the ball the last push before leaving his hand.

Any pain or loss of flexibility in that finger is going to affect his throws.

Just as important, is the fact that it is likely going to affect the amount of reps he can take in practice. This passing offense needs to get in sync. They have to figure out how to click in McDaniel's offense, and they now have to replace Danny Amendola, who—according to the same AP article—is out indefinitely with a dislocated left elbow.

This setback will trickle down throughout the Rams season. The passing offense will now be forced to play catch up for the rest of the year, and the NFL season simply isn't long enough to allow for this kind of adjustment period.

The Rams offense was not as far along in the opener as it needed to be. Now it will be hard for them to ever reach that point.

---

LIFE HURTS. THIS INJURY UPDATE BROUGHT TO YOU BY DICKIES.