The Los Angeles Rams kicked off coaching camp Thursday at Loyola Marymount College, however their quarterback was unavailable for the primary few practices. Rams coach Sean McVay informed reporters forward of camp that Matthew Stafford is coping with a sore again, and on Saturday he said there might be a delay in his return because the veteran signal-caller won’t return to follow on Monday as anticipated.
McVay famous that Stafford didn’t endure a setback however reasonably that he ought to have initially labeled his standing as week-to-week. He mentioned the objective is for Stafford to be prepared in time for the Rams’ Week 1 contest on Sept. 7 in opposition to the Texans.
“Matthew’s feeling good. He had somewhat little bit of soreness in his again that type of crept up. He is been throwing, feeling good, it isn’t something that is essentially new, it is one thing he is handled earlier than,” McVay said on Tuesday.
“Going into 12 months 17, we had been going to take a modified strategy with him, type of just like what we did within the offseason program, so we’ll permit him to simply work type of off to the aspect on his personal, get himself feeling nearly as good as potential, after which he’ll be prepared for block 2, which can actually signify as soon as we end the five-day acclimation interval. He feels good about that, I be ok with that, and finally it is about having him really feel nearly as good as potential mentally, bodily, emotionally, going into 12 months 17.”
As McVay signifies, Stafford’s again shouldn’t be anticipated to be a significant situation, but it surely additionally opens the door for an underrated place battle to take middle stage early on. Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett determine to be the highest quarterbacks in workforce drills whereas Stafford rests, with some Dresser Winn thrown in as properly.
Stafford went 10-6 because the Rams’ starter final season whereas throwing for 3,762 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Los Angeles got here simply 22 yards away from defeating the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles within the divisional spherical of the playoffs, and doubtlessly internet hosting the NFC Championship recreation. Stafford ended the season on a tear, throwing 15 touchdowns in comparison with one interception in his remaining 9 video games, together with playoffs. His 59,809 passing yards rank No. 10 in NFL historical past, as do his 377 passing touchdowns. Stafford additionally has the fifth-most game-winning drives in NFL historical past with 49.
It is Super Bowl or bust for the Rams in 2025, which is why Los Angeles goes to be cautious with its 37-year-old quarterback.