Matthew Stafford injury update: Rams QB to start training camp on side field
The Los Angeles Rams are getting ready to dive into training camp ahead of the 2025 NFL season. As they do so, they will be without the full services of veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Rams coach Sean McVay told reporters Tuesday that Stafford will begin training camp working on a side field as he deals with "a little bit of soreness in his back."
The 39-year-old coach didn't seem overly concerned about his quarterback's long-term availability.
"He’s been throwing, feeling good. It’s not anything that’s necessarily new – something that he’s dealt with before," McVay said of Stafford. "Going into Year 17, we were going to take a modified approach with him, kind of similar to what we did in the offseason program. And so we’ll allow him to just work kind of off to the side, on his own, get himself feeling as good as possible."
"He feels good about that, I feel good about that, and ultimately it’s about having him feel as good as possible — mentally, physically, emotionally, going into Year 17," McVay added. "And then that’s where you do feel fortunate that you’ve got a guy like Jimmy [Garoppolo] that will step in and do a great job for the first few practices. And then Matthew will be ready to roll."
McVay didn't give a concrete timeline for Stafford's return. However, he said he hoped to have the 37-year-old signal-caller back before the team starts "Block 2" of its offseason program, which will begin a few days after training camp opens.
But McVay made it clear the Rams would not rush Stafford back, especially with plenty of time remaining between the start of training camp and the NFL regular season.
"If he was a first-year player, then I think you’d say, man, every rep really matters," McVay said. "I think the important thing is having a big-picture perspective with a guy going into Year 17. This being something that he’s had before and dealt with throughout different parts of his career, he’s so in tune with his body, and talking with him, I feel really good. And I think that’s why you want to be as careful and as cautious as possible, because of the importance of him feeling good.
"I don’t believe it’s going to affect his ability to be ready to roll. We’ve got a lot of time. But had he not already had as much experience as he has, maybe I’d feel a little bit differently. But because of his ability to communicate to me, to [the training staff], do feel confident. And I think this is, most importantly, the right thing for him and our football team."
Stafford started 16 games for the Rams last season and completed 65.8% of his passes for 3,762 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He has started at least 15 games in three of his four seasons in Los Angeles, with the lone exception being the 2022 campaign, when two injuries – a concussion and a spinal cord contusion – limited him to nine games.
Rams QB depth chart
As McVay mentioned, Jimmy Garoppolo will get a chance to work with the first team while Stafford is sidelined. Below is a complete look at Los Angeles' quarterback depth chart, which currently runs four-deep:
- Matthew Stafford
- Jimmy Garoppolo
- Stetson Bennett IV
- Dresser Winn