Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has yet to take any practice snaps this preseason due to an aggravated disc in his back, raising concerns ahead of the team‘s upcoming game. However, a recent update from Rams head coach Sean McVay confirmed Stafford will throw during a Saturday workout before the preseason opener against the Dallas Cowboys, moving forward in his recovery.
Coach McVay Details Stafford’s Treatment and Recovery Plan
Sean McVay revealed that Stafford underwent an epidural injection this week, administered under the guidance of Dr. Robert Watkins as part of his treatment strategy. The Rams quarterback will start participating in individual drills this Saturday at the team’s Woodland Hills, California, facility. His initial return to practice will be gradual, beginning with individual activities, eventually progressing toward full team involvement as his condition improves.
Stafford is scheduled to get his first live practice reps on Monday but will not join the scheduled joint practice against the Los Angeles Chargers in El Segundo on Wednesday. McVay expressed optimism, stating,
“As of right now, everything is on track to be able to get him a good month of work before we end up opening up against the Texans.”
Stafford’s Injury History and Career Context
Since being drafted first overall by the Detroit Lions in 2009, Matthew Stafford has started 222 regular-season <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL games, establishing himself as a durable and high-performing quarterback throughout his career. Despite his resilience, Stafford has experienced various injuries, including significant setbacks. After winning the Super Bowl with the Rams, he missed eight games due to a concussion and neck injury and finished that season on injured reserve.
Earlier in his career, Stafford encountered other challenges, such as hip and back injuries in 2019 while with the Lions, which also sidelined him for eight games. His rookie and sophomore seasons were affected by injuries to his right knee and right shoulder, respectively, forcing him to end those years on injured reserve.
Coach McVay Emphasizes Cautious Approach to Stafford’s Recovery
McVay detailed that Stafford experienced mild soreness between mandatory minicamp in Maui and the team’s training return, prompting medical evaluation.
“He had a little bit of soreness over the break,”
McVay said.
“It did show there was a little bit of an aggravated disc. We felt like the best plan of attack would be to do that epidural and then listen to Dr. Watkins, and being able to listen to how Matthew feels. We wanted to err on the side of caution.”
Implications and Outlook for Rams and Stafford
The Rams remain among the league’s contenders, and Stafford’s health is critical to their success this season. His delayed start to practice has drawn attention from analysts, including former Super Bowl winner Damien Woody, who underscored the seriousness of a back injury for an athlete of Stafford’s caliber:
“Bro, you haven’t taken one snap in practice, and you’re dealing with a back? Any athlete would tell you, if your back is jacked up, that is a major, major thing.”
Following the planned Saturday throwing session, Stafford’s gradual return to practice will be a key development to watch during the final preseason weeks. The team aims to have him fully prepared for the regular-season opener against the Houston Texans, signaling a hopeful path forward for the Rams’ offense this year.