Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford will be sidelined for another week of training camp.
Head coach Sean McVay announced on Saturday, July 26, that Stafford will be considered ‘week-to-week’ as he manages back soreness. McVay previously said Stafford would be ready to practice on Monday, but the team ultimately decided to be cautious and take a ‘modified approach’ with Stafford as he enters his 17th season.
‘We are going to take some more time with him,’ McVay told reporters on Saturday, five days after players reported to training camp on Tuesday. ‘Nothing’s changed in terms of the setback. … But the ultimate goal is (Week 1 vs.) Houston (on Sept. 7) and being mindful of that.’
McVay added, ‘We will take it a week at a time with him. … I feel like that’s the smart thing to do.’
Stafford, 37, led the Rams to a 10-6 record last season, completing 340 of 517 passes for 3,762 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
‘We were going to take a modified approach with him, kind of similar to what we did in the offseason program, 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.’
Who is taking Rams’ first-team reps?
Jimmy Garoppolo is the lead backup for the Rams and likely to take a majority of the snaps while Stafford is out.
Stetson Bennett and Dresser Winn are also with the Rams as backup quarterbacks.
Bennett was drafted with the 128th overall pick (fourth round) of the 2023 NFL Draft. He has not taken a snap during the regular season.
The team signed Winn on July 21.