The Los Angeles Rams couldn't have started their Wild Card game any better than they did when they went up 10-0 early over the Minnesota Vikings.
Everything was going right, including what ended up being quite the stroke of luck off a reversed fumble, allowing the Rams to keep the ball and continue dismantling the Vikings' defense.
Offensively, things were clicking and Matthew Stafford was straight-up dealing. Defensively, the Rams were giving Sam Darnold fits all night long and may have even jeopardized how much money he'll see in his future contract this upcoming offseason.
The Rams were able to sack Darnold a whopping six times in the first half, forcing Darnold to fumble on one of them. Then, rookie pass rusher Jared Verse took that fumble all the way back to the house for a score.
A significant part of that defensive effort came by way of cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon.
A little over halfway through in the third quarter of this one, Witherspoon was seen leaving the field. At first, it was not known just what had happened with the starting defensive back.
Ahkello Witherspoon left the Rams' playoff game against the Vikings due to a thigh injury
It did not take long for an update to come through, however. Witherspoon had to leave the field after suffering a thie injury.
Just minutes later, it was announced that Witherspoon would be given the "doubtful to return" label for the remainder of the game.
Witherspoon had been playing a strong game to that point, too, which makes the injury hurt that much more. Before exiting, Witherspoon had notched three tackles, all of them being solo. This also included a sack on the night, which would be a notable one.
Witherspoon's sack was the first of his career. Not only that, but he became just the second Rams cornerback in franchise history to tally a sack in a postseason game.
Update: Witherspoon was ruled out for the game as the third quarter came to a close.