Matthew Stafford’s training camp debut ended up being a false start.
The Los Angeles Rams quarterback has been sidelined for the entirety of training camp thus far with a back injury. Stafford received an epidural to relieve the pain from an aggravated disc in his back, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport on Aug. 6.
Stafford went through a workout on Saturday, throwing 60 passes without limitations. Head coach Sean McVay was optimistic about the 37-year-old quarterback, revealing the team planned to have him in training camp practice on Monday.
That was short-lived, however, as Stafford appeared at practice in street clothes.
McVay said, via the team’s website, that Stafford “didn’t feel good enough” to participate, adding that they would take a cautious approach.
The Rams coach said that Stafford “had a great workout” and “felt good” on Saturday, “but then you come into today (Monday), it doesn’t feel great, and so didn’t think it was the right decision to be able to push him.”
With the Rams’ season opener less than a month away, the clock is ticking on Stafford’s ability to be ready in time for Week 1 – even if the veteran figures to require less practice at this stage of his career.
McVay continued to emphasize the importance of being smart in their approach to the injury, stating that they’ll continue to take it one day at a time.
“More than anything, I feel for a guy that I really care about that wants to be out there more than anything else,” McVay said. “We’re going to be smart. But he didn’t feel good enough, and we didn’t think it was the right thing to do based on how he woke up feeling today.”
As for the possibility of surgery, McVay said that wasn’t a conversation they’ve had, adding that it hasn’t come up. He was also non-committal about Stafford’s status if there was a regular season game this week, saying he didn’t know if the quarterback could play, but added, “I think he still probably would be able to play just based on how he feels.”
There are still a few weeks to sort everything out, but for now, it’s Jimmy Garoppolo who continues to get the first-team reps in practice.
Stetson Bennett has slid up into the backup role as a result.
As for the Rams, they’ll want Stafford atop the depth chart when they battle the Houston Texans in Week 1. Based on McVay’s comments, however, don’t expect L.A. to rush him back.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Matthew Stafford injury update: McVay says team will be cautious
