Stafford’s Absence Stirs Concern as Rams Take It ‘Week by Week’
The Rams’ training camp in Los Angeles had fans buzzing on Saturday—not for a jaw-dropping play or a breakout rookie moment, but for the long-awaited first appearance of quarterback Matthew Stafford. After missing the first three days of practice entirely, Stafford finally showed up… in street clothes.
Yep, no helmet, no pads, no passes—just a supportive presence from QB1.
Let’s be real—seeing Stafford on the sidelines at Loyola Marymount was a relief for many fans who’ve been wondering about his back soreness. But that relief? It didn’t last long.
🚨 Hold Up—He’s Now Week-to-Week?
Head coach Sean McVay dropped a truth bomb after practice that instantly zapped the optimism out of the air. Just days earlier, the expectation was that Stafford would return to practice on Monday. But now? That timeline is out the window.
“He's doing really well. We've got a good plan in place,” McVay said, trying to sound optimistic. “We are going to still take some more time with him, though… I probably spoke a little bit too soon.”
Wait, what?
McVay acknowledged he may have jumped the gun when initially suggesting a Monday return. Instead, the team is going to approach this “week-to-week,” which is sports lingo for we don’t really know when he’s coming back.
The cautious tone is understandable, given the stakes—Stafford’s health is the season. But “week-to-week” is also exactly the kind of phrase that makes fans sit up and go, uh oh.
🩺 What's Going On With That Back?
Stafford is 37 years old. That’s not ancient by NFL standards, but it’s certainly not young—especially for a guy who’s had his fair share of injuries.
McVay insisted there hasn’t been a setback with Stafford’s back, which sounds good on the surface. “It does not worry me,” he said. “What I probably should have done is say we’re taking it a week at a time, but I don’t have any reason to be concerned based on the information that’s been given.”
But let’s be honest here. Needing extra recovery time for back soreness isn’t the most comforting news for a player whose body has taken a beating over the years. The idea that Stafford has no setback but still isn’t ready to practice isn’t exactly reassuring either.
Even if this is just precautionary, there’s a lingering sense of déjà vu—and not the good kind.
🧠 Flashback to 2022: Same Song, Different Tune?
Sound familiar? That’s because we’ve seen this scenario play out before. Back in 2022, Stafford dealt with an elbow injury during camp and didn’t get much work in. When the season started, it was clear the offense was out of sync.
The chemistry between Stafford and newly acquired receiver Allen Robinson never clicked. Missed timing, communication issues, and general confusion plagued the offense all season. And when you’re playing from behind every Sunday, things can spiral fast.
Now in 2025, there’s a fresh batch of targets for Stafford to build rapport with—but once again, he’s not taking reps.
🔄 New Faces, Same Concerns
The Rams brought in some exciting talent this offseason. Davante Adams, one of the league’s elite wide receivers, has joined the squad. Tight end Terrance Ferguson also arrived to add firepower to the passing game.
There’s just one problem: Stafford hasn’t thrown a single pass to either of them in training camp.
That’s more than a little concerning. Chemistry doesn’t just magically appear between a quarterback and his receivers—it’s built over reps, timing, and lots of trial and error. And the fact that Stafford is missing that time while Adams and Ferguson are learning the offense? That’s a red flag.
Even with Coleman Shelton back at center—a familiar face for Stafford—there’s no guarantee everything clicks if your QB isn’t under center during camp. In fact, Stafford hasn’t even taken a snap from Shelton since minicamp.
📆 Eye on the Prize: Week 1 vs. Texans
Despite all the question marks, McVay made it crystal clear what the focus is: the regular-season opener against the Houston Texans on September 7.
“The goal in mind is Houston and I do think that this is the best plan for him,” McVay repeated. “I wanted to let you guys know that.”
Sure, that makes sense. Training camp and preseason games are important, but they’re ultimately just warm-ups. If Stafford can get healthy and roll into Week 1 without pain, then the plan worked.
Still, that’s a big “if.”
Because without meaningful practice time, it becomes harder to develop timing, rhythm, and trust—especially with new weapons on offense.
💬 No Panic Yet… But Eyes Are Wide Open
To be fair, McVay’s tone wasn’t panic—it was caution. And he’s not wrong to be protective of his quarterback. Stafford is the engine of this team, and the Rams aren’t winning anything significant without him upright and firing.
But the situation is teetering between careful strategy and early-season jeopardy.
So what’s next?
For now, fans will have to watch as the Rams navigate camp without their signal-caller running the offense. Coaches will evaluate backups, install schemes, and hope Stafford’s back holds up long enough to take the reins come September.
✍️ Final Thoughts
Let’s not forget—when healthy, Matthew Stafford is still one of the most dangerous arms in the league. He’s a Super Bowl champion, a proven leader, and a player who’s tougher than nails.
But durability matters. And when your quarterback has chronic injuries creeping in year after year, it’s not just about Week 1—it’s about making it to Week 18 and beyond.
So while McVay plays it cool and Stafford stays on the sidelines, everyone’s holding their breath just a little. The Rams may be taking it week to week—but fans are already circling Sept. 7 on the calendar.
If Stafford’s under center and slinging darts to Adams by then, all will be forgiven.
If not? The 2025 season could be off to a rocky start… again.
🔑 Quick Takeaways:
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Matthew Stafford showed up to camp for the first time but didn’t practice.
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Back soreness has kept him sidelined—now labeled week-to-week.
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Sean McVay backpedaled on return timeline, saying no setback, just caution.
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New WRs like Davante Adams haven’t had any reps with Stafford yet.
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Season opener vs. Texans on Sept. 7 is the clear target.
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No panic—yet—but history makes fans wary.
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