The Los Angeles Rams don’t find themselves in an ideal situation when it comes to Matthew Stafford.
The 37-year old has been dealing with a back injury for the last month, and on the eve of the regular season, it’s one of those things that may not be as simple as it just going away.
ESPN’s Sarah Barshop, who covers the Rams, called Stafford’s back problem the team’s biggest concern heading into the new campaign.
“The Rams quarterback, entering his 17th season, is dealing with an aggravated disk in his back and missed nearly the first month of training camp,” Barshop writes. “Though Stafford could still play in the Rams’ season opener against the Texans, there’s a chance this back injury is something the quarterback and the Rams will have to manage all season.”
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The injury was one that prevented Stafford, on multiple occasions, from returning to the practice field on the timeline that head coach Sean McVay first suggested.
And after a long NFL career, it’s not clear whether Stafford’s back is equipped to fully heal.
He’s a quarterback known for playing through bumps and bruises dating back to his days with the Detroit Lions, so it seems more likely than not that he’ll be on the field. But what happens if he gets hit in the wrong way? Is his prodigious arm strength impacted?
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The Rams have one of the league’s best backup QBs, Jimmy Garoppolo. But that’s not a card you want to have to play in Week 1.
Los Angeles needs Stafford to be ready in less than a week. The Rams open the season Sunday, Sept. 7, at home against C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans. If everyone is at full strength, it has the potential to be a fun showdown.
The Texans do have a strong pass rush, though, which probably raises the nerves even a bit higher in L.A. They need to keep Stafford upright and playing, not just in Week 1 but all season, to have the year they’re hoping for.
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