Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has been sidelined during training camp with a back issue, and new details suggest the team may be wise to take its time.
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According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Stafford is dealing with an aggravated disc in his back. He recently received a spinal injection to help ease the pain.
The Rams still expect Stafford to be ready for Week 1, but there is no rush to get the 37-year-old back on the field. Head coach Sean McVay said before camp began that Stafford would miss at least the first five days due to soreness. That window has come and gone, and the veteran quarterback remains out. McVay said this week that the team is now going "a week at a time" and admitted it was a mistake to offer a specific timeline.
Stafford has been through enough in his career to know how to prepare. At this stage, he doesn't need every preseason snap. He also has a long track record of playing through pain, including back tightness he managed last season without missing time.
In 2023, Stafford threw for 3,762 yards with 20 touchdowns and 8 interceptions across 16 games. He led the Rams back to the playoffs, where they beat Minnesota in the Wild Card Round before falling to the eventual champion Philadelphia Eagles.
With his experience and toughness, Stafford is likely to be under center when the NFL regular season begins. Still, the Rams are choosing to be careful — and that's probably the right call
