Rams' Sean McVay Drops Concerning Matthew Stafford Injury Update
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The Los Angeles Rams kicked off their training camp on Thursday with one pretty big notable absence.
Pro Bowl quarterback Matthew Stafford was expected to miss the first handful of practices with a sore back, but head coach Sean McVay gave an update on Stafford's status on Saturday that likely has Rams fans at least a little concerned.
Just days after telling reporters Stafford would "absolutely be ready" by Week 1, the 39-year-old coach informed reporters that the Super Bowl champion would not practice next week and he would officially be evaluated "one week at a time."
That's a turn from when McVay said Stafford would start practicing - previously he said he felt 'pretty good' that the QB would only miss the first block of camp. https://t.co/np5XnmUOkQ — Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) July 26, 2025
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He also noted the team was putting its star QB on a customized plan to ease him back into the offense and not give him too much too fast.
"It feels like the smart thing to do a week at a time with him," McVay stated, via ESPN. "I don't think we can be smart enough with somebody like Matthew and I think it's best for him, best for our football team, and that's kind of the plan that we'll have moving forward."
Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams throws a pass during the NFL playoff game at State Farm Stadium on January 13, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. The Rams defeated the Vikings 27-9.
Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams throws a pass during the NFL playoff game at State Farm Stadium on January 13, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. The Rams defeated the Vikings 27-9.More Football: Tua Tagovailoa Sends Warning Shot to Tyreek Hill After Talk of Leaving Dolphins
McVay also reiterated that there was no major setback with Stafford and that there was no "reason for concern" regarding his long-term health.
In his absence, it's expected that Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett will split a majority of the first-team reps while 26-year-old Dresser Winn works in with the backups.
Stafford has missed 11 games over the last three years. Since the start of the 2022 season, Stafford has dealt with a pedal toe sprain, an elbow infection, an elbow sprain, a spinal cord injury, a hip strain, a thumb sprain, and a lower lumbar sprain, according to Draft Sharks.
The site also lists Stafford as having an 80.3% chance of experiencing an injury at some point during the 2025 season, and it projects him to miss 2.7 games based on his NFL injury history.
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