Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay announced that Matthew Stafford will rest his back for another week during training camp. After the team’s fourth practice, McVay admitted he might have spoken too soon about Stafford’s readiness, emphasizing that their primary focus is preparing for the season opener against Houston and that they’ll evaluate Stafford’s condition week by week.
McVay shared that the 37-year-old quarterback has not yet had a complete break to recover from the back pain he mentioned this offseason, which seemed to worsen during sessions with two Pro Bowl quarterbacks. McVay told ESPN that they want to be cautious with Stafford, believing it is in the best interest of both the player and the team to take a careful, measured approach.
The Rams will monitor Stafford’s recovery weekly, as stated by McVay on the NFL Network. While Stafford observed some practice from the sidelines on Saturday, he mostly worked with the team’s athletic trainer throughout the first week of camp.
With Stafford sidelined, Jimmy Garoppolo led the first-team offense, and third-string QB Stetson Bennett is expected to receive significant playing time during the preseason. Despite a strong comeback in last season’s NFC divisional round, the Rams fell short against the eventual Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles.
In February, Stafford signed a restructured contract worth $84 million for two more seasons with the Rams.
Fan Take: This cautious approach to Stafford’s back injury demonstrates how critical it is to preserve the health of star players in a physically demanding sport like the NFL. For fans, Stafford’s full recovery is vital not only for the Rams’ success but also for maintaining the competitive balance and excitement throughout the season.
