Coach Sean McVay said Tuesday at the Annual League Meeting that Stafford (neck) is healthy and "there will be no limitations" when he resumes football activities, Andrew Siciliano of NFL Network reports.
Stafford is recovering from a spinal cord contusion that caused him to miss the last seven games of the 2022 season, but it appears that he's on track to participate in offseason workouts without any significant limitations. The 35-year-old play-caller's health will be one of the more pivotal factors in determining the Rams' success during the upcoming campaign, though the same can be said for star wide receiver Cooper Kupp (ankle), who is working his way back from tightrope surgery. Stafford didn't throw in offseason workouts last spring due to elbow tendinitis, so it will be notable if he's indeed able to participate in April's OTAs without any restrictions.
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Rams' Matthew Stafford: Expected to be retained by LA
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Stafford (neck) is expected to have his 2023 option and 2024 salary picked up to start the new league year, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
It would be a bit surprising to see the Rams move on from their Super Bowl-winning QB after just two seasons, but it appears as if a teardown could have happened if head coach Sean McVay opted to retire. With the playcaller back in tow, it looks as if the franchise is set to run it back with the 34-year-old Stafford, who missed eight games due to various injuries this past season. Between a balky thumb injury with the Lions, elbow tendinitis more recently this past offseason and the eventual injury that landed Stafford on injured reserve -- a spinal cord contusion back in Week 11 -- the veteran has accumulated a number of body-deteriorating injuries over the past couple of years. As a result, it's hard to imagine the 2009 No. 1 overall pick playing a handful of additional seasons, but with the Rams well suited for a playoff berth currently when not dealing with a litany of injuries, expect the team and QB to extend the competitive window as long as possible.
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Rams' Matthew Stafford: Plans to be back for OTAs
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Stafford (neck) said Monday that he expects to avoid surgery to address his spinal cord contusion and plans to be a full participant for OTAs in April, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports. "I had obviously the thumb a couple years ago, and then elbow stuff that I wasn't able to really participate in a whole lot of stuff when it comes to throwing the football for a long time," Stafford said. "So to be able to do that at a way more regular pace, which is exciting for me as a player, that's what I want to do. I want to be out there, I want to be able to throw and be a part of the team."
After guiding the Rams to a Super Bowl title in his first season with the team in 2021, Stafford didn't throw in offseason workouts last spring while he battled elbow tendinitis. Even though he concluded the 2022 campaign on injured reserve, Stafford looks like he'll enter the Rams' offseason program more healthy than he was at the same point a year ago. Having received assurances from doctors that he won't require a potentially career-threatening surgery for his spinal cord, the 34-year-old Stafford has dismissed the possibility of retirement and also noted Monday that he remains committed to the Rams in spite of the uncertainty of whether head coach Sean McVay will stick with the organization in 2023.
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Rams' Matthew Stafford: No intention of retiring
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Stafford (neck) said Tuesday he has no plans to retire, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.
Stafford simply responded "no" when asked if he intends to retire on "The Morning After" podcast, hosted by his wife Kelly. The veteran quarterback won't play again in 2022 due to a spinal cord contusion, but he's expected to avoid any sort of offseason procedure and instead make a full recovery through rehab. The 34-year-old signed a four-year, $160 million contract extension with the Rams last March, all of which is guaranteed for injury, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. It's possible the 34-year-old could be medically cleared in time for OTAs this spring, but the Rams look set to roll with Baker Mayfield for the remainder of the 2022 campaign.
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Rams' Matthew Stafford: Should avoid spinal cord procedure
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Rams head coach Sean McVay said Friday that Stafford won't require any sort of procedure while the quarterback recovers from a spinal cord contusion, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
Though some observers around the league speculated that Stafford might need surgery to address the injury if he wanted to keep his career going, McVay was adamant that the 34-year-old will be able to make a full recovery through rest and rehab and is expected to have a healthy offseason. While Stafford is on the mend, the Rams plan to finish out their season with waiver pickup Baker Mayfield as their starting quarterback. Stafford could receive full medical clearance ahead of OTAs in the spring as he heads into the first season of the four-year, $160 million contract extension he inked last March.
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Rams' Matthew Stafford: Expected to have healthy offseason
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Coach Sean McVay said Monday that Stafford's neck injury isn't a long-term issue, and the quarterback is expected to have a "healthy offseason," Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
This essentially confirms Stafford is done for the year, which was expected after he was placed on IR ahead of Sunday's loss to Seattle due to a spinal cord contusion. However, this appears to be a promising update for the future, as a healthy offseason should allow Stafford to work out some of the kinks that led to a disappointing 2022 campaign.
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Rams' Matthew Stafford: Lands on IR, possibly done for 2022
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Stafford (neck) was placed on injured reserve Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Stafford is eligible to return in Week 17, but given the Rams' record through 13 weeks, it's hard to imagine the team will have much incentive to activate the Super Bowl-winning QB in what amounts to a lost season. The veteran quarterback began the year with questions regarding his damaged elbow, but Stafford seemed to ease those concerns with six consecutive weeks throwing for no less than 240 yards. While his 10:8 TD:INT ratio will go down as one of the worst rates in his career, it's hard to fault Stafford too much given the litany of injuries and poor play among the Rams' pass catchers. It's possible the Rams and Stafford could revisit the medical gameplan regarding his elbow given the 34-year-old now has an elongated recovery timeline, but expect more clarity on that situation to occur over the coming weeks.
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Rams' Matthew Stafford: Looks to be week-to-week
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The Rams are uncertain when Stafford (neck/concussion protocol) will be available to play again this season, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports.
After he entered the concussion protocol for the second time in less than a month following his early exit from the Rams' Week 11 loss to the Saints, Stafford didn't practice in any fashion this week before being ruled out ahead of Sunday's game in Kansas City. As Schefter notes, Stafford suffered a strained neck in the game against the Saints, but he hasn't yet been diagnosed with his second concussion of the season, despite his inclusion in the protocol. However, with head coach Sean McVay noting that Stafford was experiencing some numbness in his legs after taking a hit in the game against the Saints, the 3-7 Rams could be inclined to take a cautious approach with the 34-year-old. Despite their unfavorable position in the NFC playoff picture, the Rams aren't yet planning to shut Stafford down completely, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. With that in mind, Stafford looks like he'll avoid being placed on injured reserve for the time being and will be evaluated on a game-by-game basis.
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Rams' Matthew Stafford: Still being evaluated
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After undergoing further testing Monday, the Rams have yet to place Stafford in the NFL's concussion protocol, Skyler Carlin of USA Today reports.
At this stage, the QB still is being evaluated, and coach Sean McVay said that it's unclear if Stafford -- who was replaced by Bryce Perkins during Sunday's loss to the Saints -- will be placed in the protocol ahead of this weekend's game against the Chiefs. The Rams' Week 12 signal-caller situation is thus to be determined given Stafford's uncertain status and the fact that John Wolford was inactive this past Sunday due to a neck injury.
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Rams' Matthew Stafford: Not in concussion protocol yet
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Stafford isn't in the concussion protocol after Sunday's 27-20 loss at New Orleans, but he's slated for additional tests Monday and/or Tuesday to determine if he'll enter it, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.
Stafford departed in the third quarter to be evaluated for a head injury, and it's unknown whether or not he sustained one. Previously, he didn't enter the protocol until the Tuesday after a loss at Tampa Bay on Sunday, Nov. 6, so there is precedence for such a late diagnosis for Stafford. With John Wolford inactive this Sunday due to a neck injury, Bryce Perkins took over under center for Stafford, completing five of 10 passes for 64 yards and recording five carries for 39 yards.
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Rams' Matthew Stafford: QBs to Sit
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We'll continue to monitor Stafford's status heading into Sunday's game at the Saints, but he's now a risky Fantasy option in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues. With Cooper Kupp (ankle) out, it's hard to expect Stafford to even average the 13.1 Fantasy points per game he was scoring, and guys like Allen Robinson and Van Jefferson aren't going to boost Stafford's value. He's playing behind a bad offensive line with limited weapons, and this is very much a lost season for Stafford in Fantasy and reality.
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Rams' Matthew Stafford: Cleared to play
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Stafford (concussion) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game in New Orleans, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.
Stafford returns after missing a game, but his offensive line still is banged up, and now he won't have star wide receiver Cooper Kupp (ankle, IR). The New Orleans defense isn't in much better shape with four starters ruled out on the final injury report, including top cornerback Marshon Lattimore (abdomen) and DEs Cameron Jordan (eye) and Marcus Davenport (calf).
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Rams' Matthew Stafford: On track to play
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Coach Sean McVay said Friday he expects Stafford (concussion) to play Sunday in New Orleans, Stu Jackson of the Rams' official website reports.
Stafford was a full practice participant Wednesday and Thursday and apparently is on track to clear concussion protocol before Sunday. If so, he'll have a tough task ahead of him, playing behind an injury-riddled, struggling offensive line, with star receiver Cooper Kupp (ankle) out for at least four games and possibly the rest of the season. New Orleans also has been hit hard by injuries this year, including four defensive starters missing practice both Wednesday and Thursday.
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Rams' Matthew Stafford: Logs full practice, should play
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Stafford (concussion) was a full practice participant Wednesday and is expected to gain clearance for Sunday's game at New Orleans, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
Stafford likely will make it back after one missed game, but he'll be rejoining an offense that won't have his favorite target, Cooper Kupp (ankle), for at least the next month and potentially the rest of the season. Kupp's move to injured reserve leaves Stafford with Allen Robinson, Van Jefferson and Ben Skowronek as his most experienced options at wide receiver, while Tyler Higbee and Brycen Hopkins are the top two tight ends.
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Rams' Matthew Stafford: Not playing Sunday
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Stafford (concussion) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
After entering the concussion protocol Tuesday, Stafford was unable to mix into drills until Friday, when he was limited at practice. Despite entering the weekend as questionable, he seemed like a long shot to play Week 10 considering the quick turnaround following the diagnosis, and he indeed won't be available Sunday. In Stafford's place, John Wolford will make the sixth appearance and third start of his career. Stafford will look to clear the aforementioned protocol ahead of next Sunday's road matchup with the Saints.
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Rams' Matthew Stafford: Questionable for Sunday
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Stafford (concussion) will be listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, with head coach Sean McVay noting Friday that the quarterback is "making good progress," Stu Jackson of the team's official site reports.
Stafford entered the NFL's concussion protocol Tuesday and didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday. He'll now take the field Friday and hope to be cleared by an independent neurologist over the weekend before the Rams and Cardinals kick off at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday.
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Rams' Matthew Stafford: Not suited up for practice
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Stafford (concussion) was present but not in practice gear for Thursday's session, Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Per Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com and Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic, Stafford initially wasn't seen on the field Thursday, but his lack of the aforementioned gear after showing up likely implies that another DNP is on tap to kick off Week 10 prep. Stafford entered the protocol for head injuries Tuesday, so he may not have enough time to complete all five phases before Sunday's contest against the Cardinals. If the preceding comes to pass and Stafford is inactive, John Wolford is next up to direct the Rams offense.
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Rams' Matthew Stafford: Enters concussion protocol
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Rams head coach Sean McVay said Wednesday that Stafford is in the concussion protocol, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
Stafford struggled to move the offense during this past Sunday's 16-13 loss at Tampa Bay, where he completed 13 of 27 passes for 165 yards and one touchdown, was sacked four times and overall took eight quarterback hits. Now that he's in the concussion protocol, Stafford is subject to its five phases in order to gain clearance for game action. Wednesday's injury report may give an indication of Stafford's current standing in the protocol. If he's able to practice Wednesday in a limited capacity, he could be on a path to playing Sunday versus the Cardinals.
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Rams' Matthew Stafford: Struggles in Week 9 loss
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Stafford completed 13 of 27 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 16-13 loss to the Buccaneers.
It was a rough day for both offenses, but Stafford wound up with one of his worst performances of the year, setting a new season low in passing yards and completing fewer than 50 percent of his passes for the first time as a Ram. His offensive line once again struggled against any kind of pass rush, and the veteran QB was sacked four times -- the fourth time in the last six games he's been brought down that often. Stafford will hope to get enough time in the pocket to rebound in Week 10 against the Cardinals.
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Rams' Matthew Stafford: QBs to Sit
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Stafford has not fared well against the 49ers in three career meetings in the regular season with the Rams. Over that span, he's averaging 245 passing yards with four touchdowns, five interceptions and a lost fumble, and he was sacked 14 times. He's also averaging just 13.3 Fantasy points per game, including Week 4 at San Francisco when he scored just six Fantasy points. Only two quarterbacks have scored more than 16 Fantasy points against the 49ers, which were Marcus Mariota (who had 11 of his 28 points with his rushing totals) in Week 6 and Patrick Mahomes last week. I don't expect Stafford to solve his woes in this matchup.
