The last thing Los Angeles Rams fans wanted to hear as training camp got underway was a growing injury list — but that’s exactly what they’re facing. Four key players are already dealing with injuries before pads have even come on, including left tackle Alaric Jackson, cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, rookie linebacker Pooh Paul Jr., and quarterback Matthew Stafford. Thankfully, none of the injuries are considered season-ending.
The team shared that Stafford arrived at camp with some back soreness, prompting a cautious approach. He was initially placed on a five-day modified routine to ease him into full practices with the goal of getting him into pads and synced up with the offense.
However, in a surprising development, Stafford was nowhere to be seen when he was expected to return to padded practice. The Rams later updated his status to “week to week,” insisting that it wasn’t a setback. But despite that reassurance, fans are understandably concerned — especially since camp began under the impression that Stafford was fully healthy.
Now, there’s growing uncertainty about whether Stafford will be ready in time for the Rams’ Week 1 matchup against the Houston Texans.
The devil’s in the details
Rams head coach Sean McVay recently gave a detailed update on quarterback Matthew Stafford’s status. When asked for the latest on Stafford around the 1:55 mark of a press conference video, McVay emphasized that the veteran QB is doing well but will be handled “week to week” as the team focuses on having him ready for their regular-season opener on September 7 against the Houston Texans.
Entering his 17th NFL season, Stafford has been experiencing back soreness, prompting the Rams to take a more cautious, long-term approach to his ramp-up. McVay said Stafford is fully on board with a plan developed by the team’s medical staff, including senior VP of sports medicine Reggie Scott and renowned spine specialist Dr. Robert Watkins. Rather than rush him back and risk a setback, the Rams are prioritizing Stafford’s health over practice reps.
In the meantime, backups Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett are benefiting from valuable first-team reps that they wouldn’t otherwise receive. McVay made it clear that the team is putting Stafford’s long-term health and the team’s overall best interest above all else.
While McVay’s tone wasn’t cause for immediate alarm, the situation becomes more complicated when viewed in context. Dr. Robert Watkins IV is one of the most respected spine specialists in sports medicine, serving as the go-to expert for numerous Los Angeles pro teams. The fact that Stafford is under his care suggests the Rams are taking no chances.
It also can’t be ignored that Stafford has endured a string of physical setbacks since the Rams’ Super Bowl LVI win — including a bruised spinal cord (2022), a thumb injury (2023), rib issues (2024), and now this latest back soreness (2025). It’s a concerning trend that underlines the difficulty of managing a veteran quarterback in a punishing sport.
This makes the Stafford-Rams relationship tricky. The team clearly values his leadership and ability, but they must also plan for his eventual decline and ensure they have reliable depth. Consulting a specialist is standard, but the fact that Stafford’s care plan has extended from days to potentially weeks reflects that his recovery may not be as simple as first hoped.
Fans are understandably split — some downplay the issue while others see this as a red flag. The truth likely lies somewhere in between, and until Stafford returns to the field, all anyone can do is wait and hope that time proves to be the best healer.
Leave a Reply