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Rams Provide Cryptic Injury Update on QB Matthew Stafford

Rams Provide Cryptic Injury Update on QB Matthew Stafford

Newsweek12 hours ago
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
It has been a wild offseason for Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. Originally, it was looking like his time with the Rams may have been coming to a close, but the two sides were able to reach an agreement to keep Stafford in tow at least for the 2025 campaign.
Fast forward to training camp, and Stafford has been dealing with an aggravated disk in his back that has prevented him from practicing. The former Super Bowl champion was expected to practice on Saturday, but now, Los Angeles has offered some rather strange information on Stafford.
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A Rams spokesperson declined to comment when asked if Stafford took the field on Saturday and said that head coach Sean McVay would address the situation this Monday, via Adam Grosbard of The LA Daily News.
That obviously does not sound like a great sign for Stafford, who is 37 years old and has developed a rather checkered injury history in the latter stages of his NFL career.
Last season, Stafford suited up for 16 games, throwing for 3,762 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions while completing 65.8 percent of his passes and posting a 93.7 passer rating. Was it prime Stafford? No, but it was solid, and he managed to lead the Rams to an NFC West division title and a trip to the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 19: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams reacts in the second half during the NFC Divisional Playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 19,...
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 19: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams reacts in the second half during the NFC Divisional Playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. More
Following LA's postseason exit, there was plenty of chatter that Stafford's time with the club was reaching its conclusion. Stafford is definitely nearing retirement, and there were questions as to whether or not he would play out the twilight days of his NFL career with another franchise.
There was even some talk that the Rams might be better off moving on, especially given the youth movement Los Angeles now has on the defensive side of the ball.
In the end, though, cooler heads prevailed, and both sides decided to continue their relationship. The Rams even went out and added Davante Adams to their receiving corps in order to provide Stafford with another top-tier weapon alongside of Puka Nacua.
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But if Stafford isn't healthy enough to play, this was obviously all for naught.
Hopefully, this is much ado about nothing and McVay will unveil a rather unalarming update on the two-time Pro Bowler at the start of next week, but given that Stafford played in a grand total of 24 games between 2022 and 2023 and is only getting older, there is no doubt that this development is worrisome.
For more on the Rams and NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.
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