The Los Angeles Rams finally received a boost of good news this week as veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford made his long-awaited return to the practice field. After weeks of uncertainty surrounding his back injury, the 37-year-old quarterback was seen in full pads Monday, walking onto the field with a quiet confidence that fans and coaches alike were eager to see.
The Rams shared a video of Stafford’s return on social media, signaling a major step forward as the team ramps up preparations for the upcoming NFL season. Head coach Sean McVay, while still cautious, expressed relief at having his star quarterback back in the mix.
“It’s good to be able to have Matthew out there,” McVay said following practice. “He did a good job today. I thought he looked good, but I don’t really have any updates. We’re going to keep it a day and really a week at a time. But it was great to see him out there today.”
Stafford had been sidelined throughout training camp due to an aggravated disc in his back—an injury that raised serious questions about his availability for the start of the season. Earlier this month, he was expected to take part in a limited practice on August 11 following a light throwing session, but it was later revealed that he didn’t “feel great” afterward, prompting the team to hold him out again. A subsequent workout was tentatively scheduled for August 16, but the Rams offered no clarity on whether it actually occurred, keeping fans and analysts in suspense.
That mystery is now over.
Stafford, who is heading into his 17th NFL season and fifth with the Rams, is widely considered the engine of Los Angeles’ offensive unit. In 2024, he was named team MVP after throwing for 3,762 yards and 20 touchdowns while completing 340 of 517 pass attempts. His leadership and poise under pressure have been critical to the Rams’ recent success, including their Super Bowl LVI win during his first year in L.A.
While backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and third-stringer Stetson Bennett have both taken significant snaps during the preseason—Bennett particularly impressed with 324 yards and three touchdowns in a narrow 23-22 victory over the Chargers—neither brings the veteran presence or mastery of McVay’s offense that Stafford provides.
With the regular-season opener against the Houston Texans looming on September 7 at SoFi Stadium, Stafford’s return is well-timed. Although McVay emphasized a “day-by-day” approach going forward, all signs point to Stafford being ready to lead the Rams in Week 1—barring any setbacks.
As of now, Rams Nation can breathe a little easier. Their quarterback is back, and with him, hopes for another deep playoff run remain alive.