The Los Angeles Rams commenced their training camp this Thursday at Loyola Marymount University, but quarterback Matthew Stafford is starting off as a limited participant because of a sore back. Head coach Sean McVay informed reporters on Tuesday that Stafford will work separately from the full team drills initially, indicating a cautious approach as the season approaches.
Stafford’s Condition and Plans for Gradual Return
McVay shared that Stafford has experienced some mild soreness in his back, which is not a new problem for the veteran quarterback.
“Matthew’s feeling good. He had a little bit of soreness in his back that kind of crept up. He’s been throwing, feeling good, it’s not anything that’s necessarily new, it’s something he’s dealt with before,”
McVay stated.
The team plans to ease Stafford back gradually, similar to how they managed him during the offseason. McVay explained,
“Going into Year 17 we were going to take a modified approach with him, kind of similar to what we did in the offseason program, so we’ll allow him to just work kind of off to the side on his own, get himself feeling as good as possible, and then he’ll be ready for block 2, which will really represent once we finish the five-day acclimation period. He feels good about that, I feel good about that, and ultimately it’s about having him feel as good as possible mentally, physically, emotionally, going into Year 17.”
Quarterback Competition Gains Spotlight During Stafford’s Absence
While Stafford is limited early on, the Rams’ quarterback competition will be closely watched. Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett are expected to be the main participants in team drills, with Dresser Winn also involved in the mix. This provides an opportunity for these players to make an impression while Stafford recovers.
Stafford’s Performance and Rams’ Super Bowl Aspirations
Last season, Stafford started all 16 games for the Rams, posting a 10-6 record. He threw for 3,762 yards, recorded 20 touchdowns, and had eight interceptions. The Rams narrowly missed winning their divisional playoff game against the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles by just 22 yards, which could have allowed them to host the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/nfc/”>NFC Championship game. Stafford finished the season strongly, launching 15 touchdowns against only one interception in his final nine games, including the playoffs.
Stafford’s career achievements underline his importance to the Rams. He ranks 10th in NFL history with 59,809 passing yards and 377 touchdown passes. Additionally, he holds the fifth-highest number of game-winning drives at 49.
At 37 years old, Stafford remains the cornerstone of the Rams’ quest for a Super Bowl title in 2025, and the team is prioritizing his health to ensure he is fully prepared for the challenges ahead.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did Matthew Stafford have brain surgery?
A. Patrick Mahomes, the quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, set a new NFL record. During the first half of the game against the Las Vegas Raiders, he reached 30,000 career passing yards. Mahomes accomplished this in only 103 games, beating Matthew Stafford’s old record of 109 games.
Q. Does Matthew Stafford have a photographic memory?
A. Matthew Stafford, who plays quarterback for the Detroit Lions, has an incredible memory for the nearly 10,000 plays he’s experienced in the NFL. He remembers everything, including defensive setups, throws, and game situations.