Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams' quarterback, expected to participate in field activities this week
Matthew Stafford's Back Injury Casts Doubt on Rams' Season Opener
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is nursing an aggravated disc in his back, causing him to miss the entire training camp as of mid-August 2025. The Rams are hopeful he will be ready to play in the season opener against the Houston Texans on September 7, but his participation remains uncertain [1][2][4].
Stafford, who joined the Rams in 2021, has been receiving epidural injections and undergoing treatments such as light therapy [1][3]. Rams coach Sean McVay has described Stafford's recovery as "progressing well," yet the QB missed multiple practices and workouts recently [2][5]. Surgery has not been ruled out, but it hasn’t been seriously discussed yet [2].
Insider reports indicate the Rams are not currently worried, maintaining that if the game were tomorrow, Stafford would play. However, the injury is considered problematic and lingering [3]. As the opener approaches, there is increasing concern since Stafford has yet to take any team snaps or throws in practice [4].
The Rams have a high-quality backup in Jimmy Garoppolo should Stafford be unavailable [1]. Stafford, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, was selected first overall in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. He played for the Lions from 2009 to 2020 before joining the Rams.
In his career, Stafford has started 222 regular-season games (all with the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams). He has thrown 377 touchdown passes and 188 interceptions, completing 59,809 yards of passes. Stafford led the Rams to a win in Super Bowl LVI, defeating the Cincinnati Bengals with a score of 23-20 [6].
Stafford, now 37 years old, played college football at Georgia. The NFL Network reported that he remains in the plan to play for the Rams' season opener against the Houston Texans on Sept. 7 in Inglewood, Calif. Updates from training camp and the team's final decisions closer to the game will determine if he ultimately plays [1][2][3][4].
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- Matthew Stafford, the quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams, faces uncertainty for the season opener due to an aggravated back injury.
- Stafford has been out of training camp since mid-August 2025, receiving treatments like epidural injections and light therapy.
- Despite the coach's assurance that Stafford's recovery is progressing well, he has missed several practices and workouts.
- Surgery for Stafford's back injury hasn't been ruled out, but it hasn't been seriously discussed yet.
- Jimmy Garoppolo, a quality backup, stands ready if Stafford is unable to play in the season opener against the Houston Texans on September 7.
- Stafford, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, was selected first overall in the 2009 NFL Draft and led the Rams to a win in Super Bowl LVI.
- NFL Network reports that Stafford remains in the plan to play for the Rams' season opener against the Houston Texans, with updates from training camp providing further insights.
