For the first time in this year’s training camp, Matthew Stafford was back in uniform — a sight that immediately eased some nerves around the Los Angeles Rams. After weeks of speculation about his lingering back injury, the 37-year-old quarterback participated in practice on Monday, his first public action of camp.
The Rams posted video clips of Stafford taking part in individual drills during a session that lasted about an hour. While he didn’t participate fully in team activities, the mere presence of their leader under center was a step forward as Week 1 against the Houston Texans draws closer.
Head coach Sean McVay made clear the team is treading carefully. “We’re taking it a day at a time,” McVay said. “That’s the best way for us to approach it.”
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Later, when asked directly about Stafford’s chances of suiting up in the opener, McVay struck a measured tone. “I think that would be putting the cart way before the horse,” he said. “I thought he did a good job today. We had 26 plays of team (drills) and he did a really nice job of managing the huddle. I thought he saw the field well. I thought he went where the ball should go and there was some good, competitive work on both sides today.”
Stafford has been managing a disc issue in his back, the same problem that limited him throughout the offseason. While the Rams avoided offering specifics in recent weeks, his return in pads signals progress. Still, McVay’s emphasis on patience suggests the organization won’t rush him back simply to meet an arbitrary deadline.
The stakes could not be higher. Stafford is entering his 17th NFL season and remains central to the Rams’ championship aspirations. Last year, he completed 65.8 percent of his passes for 3,762 yards with 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions, leading Los Angeles to a 10-6 record and a divisional-round berth.
More telling was the way he finished. Over his last nine games, including the postseason, Stafford threw 15 touchdowns against just one interception. Since joining the Rams in 2021, he owns a league-best 19-4 record in December through February, proof of his value when the games matter most.
For now, the Rams will keep Stafford on a day-to-day plan. Monday’s practice was a step, not the finish line. The next three weeks will determine whether he’s ready when the lights come on in Houston.
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