Rams fans still can’t relax after Sean McVay's vague Matthew Stafford update

The Los Angeles Rams have been running training camp without the benefit of veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford practicing with his teammates. While that has certainly upticked the reps for the remaining Rams quarterbacks, at some point, the absence of Stafford throwing to his receivers is going to complicate the offense's ability to function effectively.

This is the time when teammates work on chemistry, communication, and coordination. Much of what happens on a football field is about how a unit performs together, and less about the efforts of an individual. For every great reception, there had to be a great throw. For every great run, there had to be a series of great blocks. For every great quarterback sack, there had to be a great blocker-gobbler.

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Stafford is not getting the chance to synchronize his throws, his reads, and his perception of where he needs to throw the football with his receivers. And per the comments of Rams Head Coach Sean McVay, Stafford is not even going to participate in the upcoming joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys.

That only adds more uncertainty to the growing concern surrounding Matthew Stafford.

The Rams need Matthew Stafford healthy and on the field

This may be the same Matthew Stafford who has been leading LA's offense since arriving at the team in 2021, but this year, the team is rapidly changing the offense. Gone are veteran wide receivers Cooper Kupp, Demarcus Robinson, and even Tyler Johnson. Now the team has added veteran wide receiver Davante Adams, rookie wide receiver Konata Miumpfield, and rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson.

I get it. Stafford is a veteran of this offense. He can miss a few practices without fear of long-term effects on his overall performance. But Stafford and the Rams are crossing that line now from no-impact to some impact. And with the HC indicating that Stafford will not participate in the upcoming joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys, things appear to be more serious than initially thought.

Every veteran needs to ramp up to the speed and physicality of a true NFL game. Some teams do so by putting starters in for the early segments of preseason games. That allows coaches to get valuable video footage and use that footage to steer final practices before the start of a new season.

The Rams take a different approach. Rather than exposing known starters to injuries in preseason games, the team ramps up starters through the use of joint practices and scrimmages with other NFL teams. Starters use the scrimmages much like preseason games, but with the benefit of scripted scenarios and a more tightly regimented format that limits the risks of injuries.

Since the Rams do not allow starters to play in the preseason, scrimmages are vital to ensure starters are ready for the regular season. And yes, even Matthew Stafford needs the work to prepare for this new offense and new teammates.

McVay gave an update on Matthew Stafford's injury, continuing to stress that the Matthew Stafford is 'making good progress' and that the team remains optimistic. But McVay all but ruled out Matthew Stafford from competing against the Cowboys, and was evasive about the possibility of him competing against the Los Angeles Chargers in a joint practice/scrimmage next week.

If you want to follow along with McVay directly, he can be found discussing Stafford's injury at the 6:31 through 7:07 mark in the video below:

One item that is of particular interest is the fact that McVay cites Matthew Stafford seeing Dr. Robert G. Watkins again. Dr Robert G Watkins IV is the Director of the Marina Spine Center, past Chief of Staff of Cedars-Sinai Marina del Rey Hospital, and current spine surgeon for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Rams, Lakers, Clippers, and Kings.

The fact that the Rams are involving one of the finest spine surgeons in the Los Angeles, California area is a great precautionary measure. But it seems to be a significant upgrade over a pulled back muscle. Let me put it this way. You don't take your automobile to the dealership's auto repair shop to fill the tires with air pressure/

There's more to this story than meets the eye. For now, all we can do is wait. As always, thanks so much for reading.

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