Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford finds himself sidelined by a lingering back issue, and unlike past injuries, the decision to push through isn’t his to make.
ESPN’s Peter Schrager revealed on The Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday that Stafford’s absence from camp is less about his willingness and more about the Rams’ approach.
“There was an expectation that he was going to play Monday. Obviously, he doesn’t,” Schrager said. “The thing I’m hearing is this: They’re being ultra, ultra, ultra cautious and that Matthew, if it was up to him, would probably be out there. But they are not risking anything. He’s had some pain, they’re just going to let him sit until he feels he’s fully ready, until they feel he’s fully ready.”
Los Angeles Rams: If It Were Up To Matthew Stafford, He Would Be Out There
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Head coach Sean McVay has echoed the sentiment, noting that Stafford is as eager to practice as anyone, but the team’s medical staff is making the calls. For now, the Rams appear comfortable letting their franchise quarterback rest, even with the regular season opener just over three weeks away.
And while Stafford hasn’t participated in a single camp practice, his arm hasn’t been completely idle. Just before the preseason opener, he reportedly threw 60 to 70 passes during a session at the team’s Woodland Hills facility. Schrager sees that as a sign that the team’s restraint is precautionary rather than panic-driven.
“Look, he hasn’t said it outwards and the Rams haven’t told me that, but… I think he would play if it was up to him and he’s being ultra cautious,” Schrager said. “But I’m sure that the trainers and the medical staff are the ones advising him here… Let’s be ultra, ultra sure.”
In Stafford’s absence, Jimmy Garoppolo has taken most first-team reps, but in a twist, it was Stetson Bennett IV — not Garoppolo — who started the Rams’ preseason opener against the Cowboys. Bennett delivered an impressive performance, completing 16 of 24 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-21 victory. His showing eased some outside concerns about the Rams’ quarterback depth.
Still, Schrager posed the lingering question:
“Does he (Stafford) eventually get some reps in practice before Week 1? Because… as amazing as he was in the June and May months, we’d like to see it in August just for our comfort from the outside looking in.”
Stafford missed the Rams’ jog-through on Wednesday and will not participate in Thursday’s joint practice with the New Orleans Saints. That likely pushes his next potential return date to Monday, after Saturday’s preseason matchup. McVay has already ruled him out of any joint practice work — including a now-canceled session with the Chargers — as part of the team’s strategy to avoid unnecessary strain.
For now, all signs point to Stafford being ready for Week 1, but the Rams are clearly prioritizing health over practice reps. As Schrager framed it, if the season started tomorrow, Stafford would play — but with the opener still weeks away, the Rams see no reason to test their luck.
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