For the first time in this year’s training camp, Matthew Stafford was spotted on the field in uniform — a development that brought both relief and renewed questions about the Los Angeles Rams‘ quarterback situation.
The team posted video clips to social media on Monday showing Stafford participating in practice, marking his first public action of camp after weeks of uncertainty surrounding his back injury. While the 37-year-old veteran didn’t take part in full team work, reporters on site observed him taking snaps in individual drills during a session that lasted about an hour.
“We’re taking it a day at a time,” head coach Sean McVay said. “That’s the best way for us to approach it.”
Matthew Stafford Injury Now Considered Day-to-Day For Los Angeles Rams
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Stafford, entering his 17th NFL season, has been managing a disc issue in his back. It’s the same ailment that kept him sidelined for much of the offseason and led to speculation about how quickly — or whether — he would be ready for Week 1 against the Houston Texans, now less than three weeks away.
Last week, the Rams declined to confirm if Stafford had participated in a Saturday workout, leaving head coach Sean McVay to address the situation on Monday. When asked about Stafford’s progress, McVay made clear that the organization is proceeding carefully.
“We’re trying to get our hands around this as well, so I don’t really have much more information other than think we’re trying some different things that are hopefully going to be in alignment with getting him back out on the field,” McVay said last Thursday.
On Monday, with Stafford back in uniform, McVay struck a measured tone. He emphasized that the quarterback’s availability will be assessed one day at a time.
The cautious approach reflects the stakes. Stafford remains central to Los Angeles’ championship ambitions in 2025, and the Rams are unwilling to take unnecessary risks. In 2024, he completed 65.8 percent of his passes for 3,762 yards with 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions, guiding the Rams to a 10-6 record and a divisional-round playoff berth.
More importantly, Stafford closed last season on one of the hottest stretches of his career. Over his final nine games, including the postseason, he threw 15 touchdowns against just one interception. His 19-4 record in December, January, and February since joining Los Angeles in 2021 ranks best in the NFL, underscoring his reputation as one of the league’s most reliable late-season quarterbacks.
The Rams know they are at their best when Stafford is on the field, and his return to practice — however limited — represents an important step forward. Until now, Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett had been taking the first and second team reps, leaving Stafford’s status hanging over the offense.
But with Stafford back in action, even in a controlled setting, Los Angeles can begin sharpening timing and rhythm with its starters. McVay and his staff are aware that managing workload and health will be critical.
A year ago, Stafford proved he could still play at a high level deep into the season. Now, the question is whether his back will allow him to get there again.
For McVay, the only answer for now is patience.
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