The Los Angeles Rams shared a concerning update regarding the injury to quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Rams Give Update On Matthew Stafford
QB Matthew Stafford (back) will work out on Saturday, Sean McVay said. The workout will be similar to what he did on Aug. 9.
“Hopefully [his back] responds a little bit better,” McVay said.
— Sarah Barshop (@sarahbarshop) August 14, 2025
Concern is starting to set in for the Rams.
Stafford is currently dealing with an aggravated disc in his back. Stafford has not practiced during training camp.
Last week, head coach Sean McVay said that Stafford would be unavailable for the team’s joint practice and preseason opener against the Dallas Cowboys. The plan was for Stafford to work out on Saturday and test his back.
Per ESPN’s Sarah Bishop, Stafford threw 68 passes in Saturday’s workout with “no limitations” on the types of throws he could make.
McVay planned to have his Super Bowl-winning quarterback participate in drills the following Monday. Monday’s practice came, and Stafford sat out. McVay said that Stafford “didn’t feel good enough” to throw on Monday.
Now, the plan for Stafford looks eerily similar to last week. Stafford did not practice this week, including the team’s joint scrimmage against the New Orleans Saints.
Stafford will test his back on Saturday in another throwing workout.
“Hopefully [his back] responds a little bit better,” McVay said via Bishop.
McVay believes Stafford’s back injury is related to function and pain management.
“We’re trying to get our hands around this as well,” McVay explained. “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.”
Will Matthew Stafford Be Ready To Start The Season?
Sean McVay on Matthew Stafford's back injury: "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."
— Sarah Barshop (@sarahbarshop) August 14, 2025
Stafford is famous for his toughness. This is a quarterback who threw a game-winning touchdown pass after suffering a separated shoulder on the previous play.
If this were a playoff game, Stafford would likely be suiting up for the Rams. The odds of Stafford playing in the Rams’ Week 1 game against the Houston Texans are high.
However, a back injury is something that won’t go away. Stafford could easily aggravate his back during the season and miss several games.
If Stafford goes down, backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo would become the starter. Garoppolo, who enters his second season with the Rams, is capable of stepping in and keeping the team afloat in Stafford’s absence.
Garoppolo is 43–21 as a starter and was one long completion away from leading the San Francisco 49ers to victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV.
For McVay’s sake, hopefully Stafford’s back doesn’t act up again after Saturday’s workout.
