The Los Angeles Rams have been hit by the injury bug early this training camp as key players such as Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, Darious William, Derion Kendrick, Jonah Jackson, Alaric Jackson and Rob Havenstein have already been forced to miss time with their own respective ailments.
Naturally, Stafford’s injury is the most concerning as he was forced to leave the joint practice during the Dallas Cowboys this week due to a hamstring issue.
At 36 years of age, the Rams will surely be cautious with their quarterback to ensure Stafford doesn’t suffer a setback where he is forced to miss regular season games.
Head coach Sean McVay revealed on Thursday that Stafford’s removal from the practice was precautionary and he is dealing with “Just hamstring tightness.”
McVay would add: “He just felt a little something so we’re just being smart with him. That’s really what it came to.”
It’s obviously great news to hear that Stafford’s injury is not serious. If he were not ready for Week 1 then the Rams would likely have to roll with Stetson Bennett at quarterback since backup Jimmy Garoppolo is suspended for the first two games of the regular season.
There still is around three weeks to be ready though and McVay said the expectation is Stafford will be back in practice with the Rams next week.
It’s no secret that the Rams don’t play their starters in the preseason, which makes those practice reps for Stafford and the first-team offense that much more important.
With a tough matchup against the Detroit Lions to kick off the regular season, the clock is ticking for Stafford and other key Rams players to get healthy.
Caleb Williams calls Rams’ Matthew Stafford a top-two quarterback in the NFL
Matthew Stafford is often considered one of the best quarterbacks in the league by his peers due to his arm talent and longevity in the NFL.
Chicago bears rookie Caleb Williams even took it one step further, calling Stafford top-two quarterback in the league after growing up idolizing him.
“I don’t know how…I think he was 46 on Top 100? 56, Top 100? He was something unbelievable that he shouldn’t have been. I was not happy. Matthew Stafford is probably…I don’t think I can name three quarterbacks that play the position better than Matthew Stafford… Aaron Rodgers right now in the game is my No. 1 QB. Obviously last year he got hurt and things like that, so that kind of varies for Top 100. Matthew is top-2 in the league.”
