Rams QB Matthew Stafford’s Mysterious Back Injury: What Latest Specialist Visit Could Mean for His Season

Stafford’s availability for the next joint practice with the Los Angeles Chargers the following week reportedly remains undetermined.

AdvertisementIn Stafford’s absence, Jimmy Garoppolo has taken first-team reps in his place while former fourth-round pick Stetson Bennett has worked with the second team. The Rams are scheduled to open their season Sept. 7 against the Houston Texans.There were talks about Stafford exiting Los Angeles over the offseason, but he ended up agreeing to a contract restructure to remain on the team. He’s entering his fifth season with the Rams, who won a Super Bowl in his first season in L.A. but have failed to advance past the divisional round since.

Matthew Stafford is still waiting to get started at Los Angeles Rams training camp, and his timetable to do so remains as hazy as ever.“What I don’t want to do is set a timeline,” McVay said. “I know he’s making good progress. He saw Dr. Watkins again. … Everything is in good shape.”

Matthew Stafford’s arrival at Los Angeles Rams’ training camp is looking more like a slow burn than a grand kickoff — and honestly, it’s got me on the edge of my seat. He just paid another visit to back specialist Dr. Steven Watkins, and head coach Sean McVay is keeping things deliberately vague, admitting Stafford’s status is “week-to-week.” No dice for the joint practice against the Dallas Cowboys next Tuesday, and whether he’ll be ready when the Rams face the Chargers after that? Still up in the air. At 37, Stafford’s battle with offseason back soreness is casting a shadow over what should be an exciting season opener on September 7 against Houston. Meanwhile, Jimmy Garoppolo’s stepped up, taking first-team reps, with Stetson Bennett close behind. The plot thickens when you remember offseason whispers about Stafford leaving L.A., only for him to agree to restructure his contract and stick around — now embarking on his fifth season with a team that tasted Super Bowl glory in his debut year but hasn’t made it past the divisional rounds since. It’s a mix of hope, uncertainty, and resilience swirling all at once — and I can’t help but wonder, what’s next for Stafford and the Rams? LEARN MORE.

AdvertisementAdvertisement[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season]Stafford has been held out of training camp after encountering back soreness during the offseason.